About the University of Edinburgh-funded PhD Psychiatric Genetics And Parental Mental Health

The Edinburgh Neuroscience is a vibrant, interdisciplinary, cross-college community at the University of Edinburgh whose ethos is collaborative and collegiate cooperation across all research areas. With over 500 fundamental and clinical researchers, based in 185 laboratories, the centre is widely recognized for its extensive integration of outstanding clinical, biomedical, informatics and psychology research. 

The University of Edinburgh is providing two funded PhD opportunities within “Edinburgh Neuroscience” to be based in Malawi:

1. Identifying the genetic architecture of depression in African ancestry populations

The successful applicant will develop a project examining the genetic architecture of major depressive disorder (MDD) in African ancestries. They will have access to genetic data from samples collected within Africa, as well as those collected from African American and African European individuals residing in high-income countries. The student will examine the polygenicity of MDD within these contexts, and the genetic overlap of depression with obesity, education and other traits through the use of polygenic profiling and ldscore regression. The student will also learn how to perform a GWAS meta-analysis of MDD and methods of combining individuals of diverse ancestries

A background in genetics or bioinformatics would be desirable. Individuals with a background in psychology or neurosciences will also be considered where there is a strong quantitative component.

Details and application procedures are available on the Identifying the genetic architecture of depression in African ancestry populations project page

2. Examining the effects of parental mental health, adversity and nurture on child development in Malawi

The successful applicant will develop a project examining parental mental health, adversity (e.g. poverty, violence) and positive nurturing care, and their relationship to child growth and neuro-development. The student will be able to investigate genetic, in-utero and postnatal effects with data collection within the Generation Malawi family/birth cohort, a joint UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome Trust funded longitudinal study of mental and physical health in families in Malawi. The student will have access to training in systematic literature review, and appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods,

A background in mental health, child development and/or epidemiology would be desirable. Individuals with a background in public health or neurosciences will also be considered.

Details and application procedures are available on the Examining the effects of parental mental health, adversity and nurture on child development in Malawi project page.

The successful applicants will be expected to be resident in Malawi for the majority of the programme with study periods in UK for research training. The proposed studentships would therefore suit someone either living in Malawi wishing to undertake supported training by a UK university, or someone looking to relocate their base to Malawi.

Applications to be made via the web-links above. Deadline 31st March 2021.

Successful applicants will be expected to attend interviews in the second week of April for an October 2021 start.