King’s College London has opened applications for a fully funded three-year PhD studentship within its Department of Psychology, offering aspiring researchers the opportunity to undertake cutting-edge doctoral research at one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for psychology and neuroscience.

Based within the renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), the studentship provides full tuition funding, an annual stipend, and additional support for research and travel expenses. The opportunity is available for students commencing their doctoral studies in October 2026.

The programme is designed to support outstanding graduates with strong academic records and a passion for psychological research, while also contributing to the department’s ongoing efforts to address important societal and health-related challenges.

Four Research Projects Available

Applicants can choose to apply for one of four predefined doctoral research projects, each focusing on a distinct area of psychological science.

Project 1: Food and the Self

This project explores the relationship between food, eating behaviours, identity, and self-concept.

Research activities will include:

Reviewing existing theories and measures of food identity.
Conducting qualitative interviews to examine lived experiences.
Developing and validating a new psychological measure of food identity.

The research aims to generate new insights into eating behaviour and support the development of more culturally informed health interventions.

Project 2: Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction in Autistic Adults

This project investigates gastrointestinal symptoms among autistic adults using a disorders of gut–brain interaction framework.

The doctoral researcher will:

Conduct a systematic review of existing evidence.
Analyse secondary datasets comparing autistic and non-autistic adults.
Undertake an empirical study exploring psychological and neurodevelopmental mechanisms.

Areas of focus include:

Anxiety
Interoception
Sensory processing
Healthcare utilization

The findings are expected to improve understanding of clinical implications and support future healthcare interventions.

Project 3: Described and Experienced Risk in Decision-Making

This project examines how people make decisions when risk information is acquired through both direct experience and descriptive information.

Research objectives include:

Investigating how different forms of risk information influence decision-making.
Exploring the impact of timing and sequencing of information.
Using experimental methods to understand behavioural outcomes.

Potential applications include:

Consumer behaviour research
Online reviews and ratings
Financial decision-making
Public communication strategies

Project 4: Intergenerational Play

The fourth project explores the role of play in relationships between children, parents, and grandparents.

The study will:

Compare parent-child and grandparent-child play interactions.
Use behavioural coding of video-recorded play sessions.
Collect questionnaire and interview data from participating families.

Researchers will examine how intergenerational play influences:

Child development
Family relationships
Grandparent well-being
Social and emotional outcomes

Comprehensive Funding Package

The successful PhD candidate will receive substantial financial support throughout the duration of the programme.

Funding includes:

Full tuition fee coverage for eligible Home students.
Annual stipend equivalent to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) doctoral rate.
Current stipend value of £23,805 per year, including London weighting.
Up to £3,000 annually for research and travel expenses.

The funding package is designed to enable students to fully focus on their research while gaining valuable academic and professional experience.

Additional Professional Development Opportunities

In addition to conducting doctoral research, the successful candidate will undertake Graduate Teaching Assistant responsibilities within the Department of Psychology.

Teaching-related duties may include:

Leading seminars and practical classes.
Supporting undergraduate teaching activities.
Marking assessments.
Providing feedback to psychology students.

These responsibilities offer valuable experience for candidates considering future careers in academia and higher education.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and the potential to succeed in doctoral-level research.

Minimum requirements include:

A bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Honours (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification.
Applicants with a 2:2 degree may be considered if they also hold a master’s degree awarded with Merit.

The department welcomes applications from candidates with relevant research experience, strong analytical skills, and a clear interest in one of the advertised project areas.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit an online application through King’s College London’s admissions portal before the deadline.

Applicants should select:

Department of Psychology Research MPhil/PhD (Full-Time or Part-Time)

Required application materials include:

Academic transcripts.
Copies of academic qualifications.
Updated curriculum vitae (CV).
Personal statement outlining research interests and motivation.
Details of any teaching or teaching-related experience.
One academic reference.
Employment history where applicable.

Applicants must clearly indicate the project code corresponding to their chosen research project within their personal statement and funding application.

Because the doctoral projects have already been designed, applicants are not required to submit a separate research proposal.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed after the closing date based on:

Academic achievement.
Research potential.
Suitability for the selected project.
Quality of supporting documents.
Academic references.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview, either online or in person, where their qualifications, experience, and alignment with the project will be further evaluated.

Key Dates and Application Information

Prospective applicants should note the following important details:

Institution: King’s College London
Department: Psychology
Study Level: Postgraduate Research (PhD)
Funding Type: Fully Funded Studentship
Start Date: 1 October 2026
Duration: Three Years
Number of Awards: One
Application Deadline: 21 June 2026 (23:59 GMT)

A Unique Opportunity to Advance Psychological Research

The fully funded PhD studentship offers an exceptional opportunity for talented graduates to join one of the world’s leading psychology research environments. Through access to expert supervision, generous funding, advanced research training, and teaching experience, successful candidates will be well positioned to contribute meaningful insights to the field while developing the skills necessary for future academic, research, and professional careers.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.