A neurobehavioral investigation into body misperceptions in eating disorders.

The School of Natural Sciences and Psychology are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual to join them on a three year full time, fully-funded PhD studentship investigating body misperception in eating disorders. The successful applicant would join a vibrant Postgraduate research community, supervised by Dr Laura Mirams (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/natural-sciences-and-psychology/laura-mirams), Dr Valentina Cazzato (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/natural-sciences-and-psychology/valentina-cazzato) and Prof. Francis McGlone (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/natural-sciences-and-psychology/francis-mcglone). LJMU has recently been awarded ‘University of the Year’ at the Educate North awards 2017.

Our Project

The aim of the project is to investigate the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying abnormal (tactile) body perception in Eating Disorders (i.e., Anorexia Nervosa). Anorexia Nervosa is a severe and disabling eating disorder, but existing treatments are limited in their effectiveness. Recent evidence suggests that disturbances in the way that Anorexia Nervosa patients perceive their bodies may be key to the onset and maintenance of the disorder. This PhD project will lead to a greater understanding of somatosensory processing in Anorexia Nervosa.

In the first phase of the project, the successful applicant will conduct experimental lab-based studies using behavioural paradigms to measure the perception and misperception of touch and internal body sensations in participants with high and low eating disorder symptoms. In addition, the student will use brain stimulation techniques such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in order to determine the neural mechanisms involved in body misperception in eating disorders. The second phase of the project will involve recruiting a clinical sample of anorexia outpatients to investigate whether changes in eating disorder symptoms after a clinical intervention are accompanied by changes in body perception.

In addition to recruiting participants, running experiments and analysing data, the student will be expected to write a literature review, contribute to resulting publications and work towards presenting their findings at internal seminars and external conferences.

The project offers opportunities to develop experience and skills in human multisensory research in healthy and clinical populations within a collaborative environment, providing the successful candidate with critical skills and experience to make them a highly competitive candidate for a postdoctoral research position either in academia or a relevant clinical environment.

**Entry Requirements

A BSc degree (2:1 or above) in Psychology and/or Cognitive and Social Neuroscience or a relevant biomedical related subject. Applicants must have a strong quantitative research methods background. Excellent organization and written and verbal communication skills are essential. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject and/or experience working with patient groups is also desirable.