Numerous studies have shown correlational links between self-reported activity levels and mental health outcomes. Yet, we lack an understanding of dose-response relationships and the mechanisms underlying those effects. Students transitioning to university are of particular risk of developing mental health problems, or of existing mental health conditions deteriorating due to academic and psychosocial stressors.
This project will longitudinally track university student cohorts, to establish causal relationships between daily activity levels (measured objectively using activity trackers) and wellbeing and mental health. It will further explore the underlying mechanisms at a behavioural, physiological, and neural level. Previous data suggests that physical activity improves stress regulation, and thereby might facilitate approach coping in the face of academic and social stressors.
This project will compare inactive and highly active groups in behavioural measures of approach and avoidance, physiological markers of stress regulation, and neural correlates of emotion regulation and reward sensitivity. This will allow for building a mechanistic model of how regular physical activity may contribute to good mental health under prolonged periods of stress. The project will equip the PhD student with a diverse research skills set in longitudinal research, psychophysiology, and cognitive neuroscience.
The successful candidate will work in a team with other researchers investigating links between physical exercise and stress regulation. They will be part of a strong community of PhD students investigating mental health in longitudinal settings. They will have access to our state-of-the-art exercise, physiology, and EEG labs. Throughout their project, they will receive extensive training in data management, psychophysiology, and EEG, including advanced analysis of EEG data.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as Psychology or Cognitive Neuroscience.
Experience of collecting data in human participant samples is expected. Knowledge of EEG or psychophysiology would be highly advantageous but is not required.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2025. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 29th January 2025 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Frederike Beyer AT f.beyer@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
Apply Online