DPhil Studentship - Mental Health Complexity and Service Inequalities in Adolescent Chronic Pain

[Scholarship covers course fees up to the value of home fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI standard rate (£20,780 per annum), plus additional support for research expenses and conference attendance. Applicants with overseas fee status must fund the fee difference from alternative sources.] This DPhil studentship at the University of Oxford offers an exciting opportunity to investigate mental health complexity and service inequalities in adolescents experiencing chronic pain. Chronic pain affects a significant proportion of young people in the UK, with associated increased risks of mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, and suicidal distress. The project aims to address gaps in understanding psychosocial differences in treatment access and outcomes, healthcare inequalities, and to identify opportunities for strengthening community-based and specialist support for this vulnerable population. You will join a dynamic research group focused on the interplay between physical and mental health, with a mission to identify emerging mental health needs and translate findings into actionable prevention and intervention strategies. The group’s work spans both community and clinical settings, leveraging expertise in developmental and clinical psychology, psychiatric epidemiology, public health, and qualitative research. Collaborations with experts in pain science, self-harm research, adolescent mental health, and intervention development ensure the research is both rigorous and relevant to real-world clinical practice. Under the supervision of Dr Verena Hinze and Professor Willem Kuyken, you will develop skills in evidence synthesis, data analysis, qualitative research, and stakeholder engagement. The project will utilize large-scale clinical and community-based longitudinal datasets, such as those from paediatric pain services and the CIPA study. The specific research focus will be refined in collaboration with the successful candidate, allowing for a tailored approach that aligns with your interests and expertise. The studentship provides comprehensive funding, including course fees (up to the value of home fees), a tax-free stipend at the UKRI standard rate (£20,780 per annum), and additional support for research expenses and conference attendance. Applicants with overseas fee status will need to secure funding for the fee difference from other sources. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background in psychology, psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, or related fields, with experience in independent research and statistical analysis. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential, and the program welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. Applications must be submitted via the University of Oxford’s online graduate application form, with all supporting materials and the application fee received by 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 10 April 2026. For further information or informal enquiries, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Verena Hinze at [email protected].