The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
The student will particpate in lab meetings with Dr Jessica Agnew-Blais's ADHD LIife Lab, which includes PhD students, postdocs and RAs, as well as larger cross-group weekly meetings focused on child and youth development.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
There will also be additional training opportunities focused on developing methodological skills both within QMUL and at other universities in the UK.
This PhD project will investigate adult ADHD from a genetic and epigenetic perspective. First, a cross-cohort genetic approach will be used to investigate ADHD that emerges after childhood. Several studies have identified this "late-emerging" ADHD, in which individuals do not meet diagnostic criteria for the disorder until after childhood (Moffitt 2015, Agnew-Blais 2016, Caye 2016, Riglin 2016). This is at odds with the concept of ADHD as a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder, and is inconsistent with the DSM-5 requirement for onset before age 12.
Much remains to be understood about late-onset ADHD, and genetic analysis offers one approach with which to investigate the nature of late-onset ADHD. More specifically, using a polygenic risk score (PRS) approach can be informative about the genetics of a study population smaller than the large populations necessary for genome-wide association studies.
One of the projects for this PhD will bring together several longitudinal studies with information on late-onset ADHD to better understand genetic risk for this ADHD course.
We will also take a cross-cohort approach to investigate the epigenetics of ADHD, with a project participating in a large consortium of cohort studies including information on DNA methylation and ADHD symptoms/diagnosis to conduct a meta-EWAS of adult ADHD.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English Language ability. Please see our English Language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais at j.agnew-blais@qmul.ac.uk
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2024 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. You must meet the IELTS/ English Language requirements for your course and submit all required documentation (including evidence of English Language) by 14th March 2024. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements. Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by in March 2024 with the support of the supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme. For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
Apply Online