The influence of environmental and affective factors on executive functioning, performance, and wellbeing

This research will investigate the effects of emotion on executive functioning. In particular, the work aims to explore how individual differences in motivational intensity can mediate the influence of emotion and stress on functions such as attentional control, inhibitory processing, and cognitive flexibility. Executive functioning is critical to effective task performance in any workplace and has the potential to be trained. A series of studies will be undertaken to measure behaviour under conditions that vary in demand and indices of emotional affect and motivational intensity will be recorded. Activity in the pre-frontal cortex will also be measured. By examining the effects of emotion under different conditions it will be possible to determine how stress and affective disorders can impact on performance and when these effects are most debilitating. Findings will be applied to settings in which effective cognitive processing is critical and work-related stress is high (i.e. healthcare settings and educational institutions).

Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford
The Centre for Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford comprises a multidisciplinary team of staff and research students drawn from the health professions and related disciplines. The research centre has world class research facilities including three biomechanics laboratories, a clinical imaging suite, a psychology lab and a rehabilitation flat. The School currently boasts over £5 million pounds of research funding and has extensive national and international links, with both academic and clinical partners. There is also a vibrant community of approximately 100 students studying either at Ph.D. level or Master’s by research.

For this studentship, you will work within the Applied Psychology research group, see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/research-groups/psychology for further details. To find out more the research undertaken in Health Sciences at Salford see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences and to learn more about studying for a Ph.D. in health sciences at Salford, see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/postgraduate-research.

Eligibility
Suitable applicants will have at least a 2:1 or first class honours degree in Psychology and be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. A postgraduate qualification in Psychology, or relevant research experience would be desirable. Applicants should be competent in research methods and will understand the benefits of combining behavioural and neuropsychological techniques.