Applications are invited from UK/EU fees for a three-year PhD studentship that will focus on evaluating factors associated with the uptake and effectiveness of an online therapist supported therapy for people tics and Tourette syndrome (TS).This studentship is funded by NIHR Health Technology Cooperative MindTech and supports the NIHR HTA ORBIT (Online Remote Behavioural Intervention for Tics) randomised controlled trial. The supervisory team consists of Professor Cris Glazebrook, Dr Bethan Davies and Dr Charlotte Hall.

Research has shown that behavioural treatments are as effective as medication for tics. However, only a small number of young people in the UK can access this treatment due to the lack of trained therapists. In the ORBIT trial, children with tics and their parents will be randomised to receive either psychoeducation about tics or a complex intervention comprising psychoeducation and evidence based behavioural therapy for tic control. The treatments are delivered online with remotely delivered therapist support.

Although there will be some flexibility, this mixed methods PhD in clinical/health psychology is likely to involve: 1) A systematic review, 2) Semi structured interviews with young people, their parents/carers and clinicians, 3) Quantitative analysis exploring the relationship between uptake of treatment and change in frequency and severity of tics (the primary outcome) and mediating factors.
 
This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team of leading clinicians and researchers at Nottingham University, Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

We expect this will be an exciting and challenging PhD project. Therefore, applicants should have a first or upper second class degree in psychology or an allied subject. In addition, a relevant Master’s degree is desirable. Also desirable is experience in the conduct and management of research projects.

The studentship will commence on 1st April 2018 and includes payment of fees at the UK/EU rate with a stipend of £14,553 in 2017/18, which will rise in line with minimum Research Council rates. The studentship will be based in the Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology within the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham.

For more information and to apply, please visit: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/MED1470