GW4 BioMed3 MRC DLP PhD project: Parental transmission of substance use: exploring mechanisms and informing intervention

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: Dr Lindsey Hines Dr Hannah Sallis Dr Charlotte Dack Professor Jon Heron The Project : Reducing substance use is an important goal within public health, and there is focus on adolescence as we understand how critical this period is for brain development, social development, and education outcomes. Recent work has shown that a predictor of adolescent substance use is the substance use of their parents, which could indicate that working with parents is a viable route to reduce substance use in their offspring. However, we still don’t fully understand the extent to which substance use may be affected directly by the genetic information we receive from our parents, or by aspects of our environment such as parenting behaviours. The key question in this project will be: are substance use behaviours passed from parents to their children? And could we intervene to reduce substance use in future generations? We will use advanced statistical analysis of longitudinal cohort data (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children – ALSPAC) and intergenerational design to understand how behaviour in one generation can impact health in the next generation, and qualitative interviews to understand the views of parents on acceptability of behaviour change interventions focussed on their substance use. In answering this question, the student will develop expertise in a broad of skills that are relevant for understanding health and behaviour, and that are translatable into future careers in clinical psychology, data analysis, research, and other health and data related careers: Understanding of population health and epidemiology Advanced longitudinal data analysis Genetic analysis Qualitative methodology Use of statistical analysis programmes (Stata, R) Participatory research and co-design The project will be based between the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, and the Centre for Academic Mental Health at the University of Bristol. There is scope to develop the research question and focus of the work in different directions. For example, the student could select to focus on either parent substance use disorder, or non-disordered use at a general population level. There is choice in which substances to focus on, as the work is equally relevant for alcohol use, tobacco use, and illicit drug use. There is also opportunity to identify and include further datasets (beyond ALSPAC) in the work if the student is interested in replicating findings, or if they have new ideas to address the question. The student will be expected to design their own Patient and Participant Involvement work when developing the study, and will be able to access existing advisory groups within both Universities. In order to understand different mechanisms of transmission the student will be able to explore genetic transmission, using data on genetic variance to parse out the effects due to genes, and the effects due to environment (Dr Hannah Sallis, Bristol), and to explore the effect of parenting behaviours on adolescent substance use using negative control design and epidemiological methods (Dr Lindsey Hines, Bath/Dr Jon Heron, Bristol). The work will have a focus on utility for intervention, and there is a need to explore the acceptability of behaviour change amongst parents (Dr Charlotte Dack, Bath). The student will be supported to conduct a qualitative study to explore this question. 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 Dr Lindsey Hines on email address lh2461@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