PhD studentship ‘Detecting Dementia Earlier’

A PhD studentship funded jointly by the James Cook University Hospital Voluntary Services Council and Durham University is available starting from January 2016. The project will be jointly supervised by NHS South Tees (Dr Stephen Evans) and the Psychology Department, Durham University (Dr Colin Lever, Dr Susanne Weis). The chief aim is to develop and/or investigate tests that accurately predict likelihood of subsequently developing Dementia. The primary intended methodology to achieve this aim will first be to give a selected battery of tests to patients with Mild Clinical Impairment (MCI), and then to follow up those patients 2 years later to establish those who have, and have not, progressed to Dementia. The test battery will include: standard screening tools of cognitive ageing; a test of spatial cognition (Four Mountains test, Hartley et al, 2007, Hippocampus); a recently-developed test of episodic memory; and in a subset of patients, MRI-derived measures of regional brain volume. Appropriate training in all aspects of the project will be provided. A secondary aim, as time permits, will be to conduct systematic review of tests used internationally to predict progression from MCI to Dementia.

The position is for a full-time UK/EU student commencing study in January 2016 with an annual stipend of £13,400 (no inflationary increase) plus fees paid at UK/EU rates (currently £4,052 per annum) for 3 years. The studentship will also fund some support costs entailed by the Research (e.g. MRI costs). The student will additionally receive benefits standard to all PhD students in the Psychology department, such as personal Research funds and access to conference-related travel funds. The student will engage with a collaborative team including Dr Tom Hartley (York University).

Essential requirements are:

An Upper Second class (2.1) degree in Biological, Medical, Neuroscientific, or Psychological sciences

Skill in communicating and working with older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments

Ability to communicate well with individuals from different backgrounds, e.g. NHS professionals, patients, family members, and research staff.

Demonstrable interest in cognition in older adults

Research experience involving testing participants or patients

Professionalism including excellent self-motivation, time-management, and ability to follow NHS and Durham University confidentiality policy and data protection

Desirable qualities are:

Masters degree in Biological, Medical, Neuroscientific, or Psychological sciences

Driving Licence

Research experience involving testing older adults

Experience of MRI imaging and/or volumetric analysis

Working with patients in the NHS

Application process

Please send a covering letter, CV, evidence of degree certificates, and two references to: pg.admin@durham.ac.uk

Deadline for application: Thursday 17^th December, 4pm.

We anticipate that interviews will be held on the 18^th and/or 19^th January 2016.

Contacts for academic queries: Colin.lever@durham.ac.uk; Stephen.Evans@stees.nhs.uk