Finding the Earliest Signs of Psychosis: Studying Young People at High Genetic Risk
Not stated
- Funding
- Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
- Application deadline
- 21 October 2026
About the project
About the Project Summary Why do some young people develop psychosis while others do not? This project will investigate the developmental origins of psychosis in young people at high genetic risk. Using unique clinical and population-based datasets, the student will identify early-life factors that influence the emergence of psychotic symptoms. The project will explore how genetic risk interacts with childhood experiences, behaviour, development and environmental influences to shape mental health outcomes. Combining state-of-the-art data science methods with lived experience coproduction, this research aims to improve early identification of young people most at risk of psychosis and inform future prevention and intervention strategies. A full description of the project can be found on the GW4 BioMed website . Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK. English requirements: IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or acceptable alternative. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details. How to Apply A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the GW4 BioMed website . You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only. Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed3 for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution later. Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check the GW4 BioMed website for details and updates. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 22nd December 2026. Interviews will be held virtually on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentships will start on 1 st October 2027.