MPhil/PhD Studentship in Exploring Mental Health in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Investing in excellence: studentship opportunities

The University of Derby has an opportunity for a full-time postgraduate research studentship in the Biomedical and Clinical Sciences area of research in the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care (HPSC).

The successful applicant will receive a maintenance stipend (based on the minimum stipend defined by UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26) and home MPhil/PhD tuition fees (£5,005 - subject to amendment) only up to the target submission date.

Please note: if your application is successful and you are assessed as international for fees purposes, you will need to pay the difference between the home fees and the international fees.

The intended intake period is September 2025.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete their MPhil/PhD within 3 years on the MPhil/PhD route, contribute to the College REF submission and get involved in the wider research activities of the College.

Applicants will become part of a friendly and welcoming team and will be supported and managed by their supervisors.

The vacancy details are as follows:

Project description

The University of Derby, and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust are seeking PhD proposals which explore mental health in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

We are happy to welcome any proposals to explore PCOS and mental health, which are underpinned by a health, sport and exercise, or clinical psychology discipline. However, suggested potential focuses for proposals include: PCOS and emotion regulation, PCOS and mental health in adolescents and those in transition from paediatric to adult care, and explorations of PCOS and mental health following diagnosis. 

As this project is in collaboration with the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, proposals should be considerate of the patient experience and potential applications to clinical practice.

Purpose/objectives 

This PhD seeks to develop an ongoing programme of research developed by the University of Derby and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. 

The successful project will seek to develop our understanding of the psychological aspects of PCOS, which may include the impact and/or association with mental health including psychological symptomology and conditions, emotion regulation, and risk of self-injury and suicide ideation.

Potential project impact 

This project will have the potential for international impact through the development of our knowledge and understanding of this under researched area of PCOS. 

Through our relationship with our clinical collaborators, the project is uniquely positioned to consider the experience and findings as applied to both clinical and community samples and to be translated into clinical practice. 

Moreover, the project aligns to the goals of the Women’s Health Strategy (2022) and government plans to improve mental health and reduce health inequalities for women (2024) highlighting the relevance, and importance of research in PCOS and mental health at this time.

Principal accountabilities and responsibilities

The successful applicant may be required, by agreement, to attend one or more of the research establishments at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust for the purposes of the project. 

The successful applicant is required to engage with supervision of the PhD from the supervision team detailed below. They may also be required to engage in additional meetings to discuss the progress of the project with UHCW NHS Trust and attend research-focused events held by the School of Psychology at the University of Derby. 

The student will be responsible for any costs not included in the student tuition fees or the provided stipend as detailed above.

To apply

Please review our entry requirements before submitting your application and check out the 'Getting Started' section below.

Completed applications should be submitted via our online application system quoting funding reference: EXT_CO_HPSC_PCOS_25-26

Apply online

Closing dates for applications: Friday 13 June 2025.

(Please note: we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close before 13 June 2025 if a high volume of applications is received.)

Interviews: Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 July 2025.

If you have not been invited for an interview by the interview date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

You will be supervised by an experienced and passionate team which will include:

Director of Studies - Dr Sophie Williams (s.williams3@derby.ac.uk)

1st Supervisor - Professor David Sheffield (d.sheffield@derby.ac.uk)

External Supervisors - Dr Chris Kite and Dr Ioannis Kyrou on behalf of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Please note that the supervision team may change, dependent on the expertise needed for the successful proposal.

Find out more about our research degrees.

Getting started

Before you begin your application, make sure you have:

Studentship funding reference code

This is provided on the individual studentship advert and must be specified in your application. 

Personal statement

A 500-word personal statement outlining your suitability for the studentship project. This is a mandatory requirement and you must upload it into your application. You should include your reasons for applying for the studentship, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies.

Your CV

A CV outlining your academic and professional experience.

Qualifications

Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates and transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application.

Passport/birth certificate

A scanned copy of your passport or full birth certificate. This will help us verify your application to study with us. International applicants can provide a copy of their passport only for visa assessment purposes, and their current visa if residing within the UK.

Academic references

Two signed academic references. This is optional at application stage but highly encouraged. If successful in your application, two academic references will be a mandatory requirement of admission. The references should be in written format, signed and dated from either a supervisor or tutor from your most recent studies.