PhD Studentship: Using sleep-based memory cues to support recovery from stressful memories

Overview

This PhD project at the University of Exeter, based in the Psychology department, tests whether sleep can be used to improve trauma therapy. Many people who experience trauma develop PTSD, and although talking therapies work, not everyone recovers fully. During sleep the brain naturally strengthens what has been learned during the day. The project plays a gentle sound during deep sleep, linked to a therapy session, with the aim of helping the brain retain the progress made in therapy.

The student will use wearable sleep technology that measures brain activity at home, and will use mathematical modelling to explore why some people benefit more than others.

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.