PhD studentship: The cognitive effects of alcohol hangover

We welcome applications for a full-time University PhD studentship to support and work in our Department of Psychology.


Background

Hangover is the most reported negative consequence of alcohol use with significant health and economic implications. Alcohol hangover is characterised by a range of physical and psychological symptoms, and costs the UK economy £6.4 billion each year due to absenteeism. At present very little research has examined the effects of hangover on the cognitive processes required for everyday functioning such as workplace performance and driving. Therefore, the true health and economic costs of alcohol hangover remain unknown. The proposed studentship will use innovative human laboratory techniques to examine the impact of hangover on cognitive processes.

The student will conduct their research under the supervision of Dr Sally Adams and Professor Christine Griffin at the University of Bath and Dr Joris Verster at the University of Utrecht.


The project

Across the three years of the studentship, research will address three key aims;
- to develop and pilot a robust experimental model for assessing the effects of alcohol hangover on cognition in healthy adult drinkers, using a combination of biochemical and psychological measures (Study 1)
- to provide evidence for the influence of alcohol hangover on specific cognitions including; decision-making, risk-taking, inhibitory control (Study 2) and emotional processing (Study 3)
- to determine who is most susceptible to the effects of alcohol hangover on cognition by examining the influence of individual differences in factors including; age, sex and ethnicity (Study 4)


Eligibility

The successful candidate should:
- fulfil the entrance requirements for a Psychology PhD (http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/programmes/mphi-psyc/)
- have an interest and understanding of cognitive and behavioural mechanisms underlying addictive behaviours
- have some experience of programming and running software such as Eprime
- have some experience of developing and conducting experimental psychology studies


How to apply

Apply online (http://www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school/research-programmes/how-to-apply/) to study for a full-time PhD in the Department of Psychology:
- you must quote the project title in section 3.2 of your application: The cognitive effects of alcohol hangover
- you do not need to upload a formal research proposal as this studentship is for a specific project

Complete the application form for an academic-led PhD studentship (https://fs9.formsite.com/hss-web/form7/index.html)

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 12.00 noon (GMT), Thursday 4 February 2016.


Informal enquiries

For project enquiries contact Dr Sally Adams.

For application procedure enquiries email: [Email Address Removed] or tel. 01225 38 5233.