GW4 BioMed3 MRC DLP PhD project: Transdiagnostic mental health interventions for adversity affected youth

About the project

About the Project This project is one of several in competition for funding from the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme (DLP), which is offering up to 17 studentships for entry in September 2026. The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities. More information may be found on the DLP’s website . Please note that the application process may close early to either home or international candidates (or both) before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received – check the DLP’s website for details and updates. Supervisory Team: Professor Sarah Halligan Professor Pamela Jacobsen Dr Emily Hards Dr Becky Mars The Project : Young people who are exposed to adversity are at increased risk of a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression and conduct-related problems, making adversity a ‘transdiagnostic’ risk factor for mental disorder. Given this, transdiagnostic interventions that target shared underlying processes (e.g., dysregulated emotions, negative self-beliefs) could be appropriate but remain underexplored. Many adversity-affected youth are supported by third-sector organisations (e.g., charities), where mental health presentations and provision are each highly varied widely, meaning that the embedding of core, focused intervention elements could be especially beneficial. This project will explore potential for embedding core transdiagnostic intervention components for youth affected by adversity into such provision, thereby enhancing this key source of support. The specific objectives are to characterise the key processes should be the target of any transdiagnostic interventions for trauma-affected youth, and examine whether and how these processes can be addressed via third sector organisations that routinely offer support for this group. This PhD project will be embedded within the NIHR Mental Health Research Group at the University of Bath, comprising a large team of researchers focused on mental health in the under 25s. For more information about the Bath Mental Health Research Group and the study team, please see: https://bathmhrg.org/ Requirements: Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second-class degree will only be considered if they have a grade of Merit or above in a master’s degree. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience. Non-UK applicants will also be required to have met the English language entry requirements of the University of Bath. Enquiries and Applications: Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Sarah Halligan on email address s.l.halligan@bath.ac.uk . Formal applications must be submitted direct to the GW4 BioMed3 DLP using their online application form . A list of all the projects and details on how to apply are available DLP’s website . You may apply for up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only. APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT 17:00 (GMT) ON 21 OCTOBER 2026. IMPORTANT: You do NOT need to apply to the University of Bath at this stage – only those applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer of funding from the DTP will be required to submit an application for an offer of study from Bath. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

Research areas