PhD Studentship: Unraveling Moral Injury in Eating Disorders in Young Adults

Overview

This PhD project at the University of Exeter, based in the Psychology department, examines the part played by moral injury in eating disorders among young adults. The research looks at the neurocognitive mechanisms involved, using fMRI, psychometric assessment and qualitative interviews. It aims to identify distinct patterns of brain activation linked to morally injurious experiences and to explore how these mechanisms operate in people with eating disorders.

The project will produce a moral injury-informed framework to guide future clinical practice. It is expected to deepen understanding of moral injury as a significant but overlooked risk factor and to support more nuanced, trauma-informed care pathways grounded in patients' moral and psychological experiences.

What you get

The project is one of up to 18 MRC-funded studentships offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, with a start date of October 2027. The studentships last four years. Funding covers UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council national minimum, which is 21,805 pounds per year for 2026/27 and is updated annually. Up to 5,000 pounds per year is also available for research training and support costs.

Who can apply

The studentships are open to UK and international students. This project competes for a place with projects across the whole MRC GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Award, in which 18 studentships are available across the partnership.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026, and the studentship begins in October 2027.