[Fully funded 3-year PhD studentship covering home tuition fees and an annual tax-free maintenance stipend at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). Open to UK and international applicants. Visa expenses, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and relocation costs are not covered.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia offers an outstanding opportunity to investigate the variability in young children’s early vocabulary development. The project, led by Professor Larissa Samuelson and funded by the Leverhulme Trust, aims to test a neural process theory of vocabulary development through a longitudinal study. The research will focus on children’s performance in multiple word learning tasks at 18, 24, and 36 months of age, tracking their vocabulary growth over time. The successful candidate will join the Developmental Science Research Group and the Developmental Dynamics Laboratory, both recognized for their world-leading research in developmental and cognitive science. The project provides comprehensive training in research ethics, experimental task implementation, data processing, analysis, and interpretation. There will also be opportunities to present findings at conferences and to disseminate results through publications. Additionally, the student will gain experience in computational modelling of development, working in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with leading researchers. Applicants should have a strong academic background in psychology, cognitive science, speech and hearing science, or a related discipline. A minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree is required, while a Master’s degree is optional. Experience with experimental design, data analysis (preferably in R), eye-tracking, or working with developmental populations is highly desirable but not essential. The position is open to both UK and international applicants, though visa and relocation costs are not covered by the funding. The studentship covers home tuition fees and provides an annual tax-free maintenance stipend set at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). The project duration is three years, with a start date of 1 October 2026. The research environment is vibrant and supportive, offering excellent facilities and professional development opportunities. Students will have the chance to develop their own research questions within the scope of the project and benefit from comprehensive supervision and training throughout their PhD journey. To apply, candidates should submit their application through the University of East Anglia’s postgraduate research portal, ensuring they meet the entry requirements and provide all necessary documentation. This is a unique opportunity for motivated individuals to contribute to cutting-edge research in early language development and to advance their academic careers in a supportive and dynamic setting.

This PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia’s School of Psychology focuses on examining variability in young children’s vocabulary development. Supervised by Professor Larissa Samuelson, the project aims to investigate the factors that contribute to individual differences in early language acquisition, drawing on research areas such as linguistics, child psychology, and developmental psychology. The successful candidate will explore how children learn words, the cognitive and environmental influences on vocabulary growth, and the implications for educational and developmental outcomes. The research will employ a combination of experimental, observational, and possibly longitudinal methods to assess vocabulary development in young children. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant research community within the School of Psychology. The project is ideal for candidates interested in psycholinguistics, cognitive development, and the mechanisms underlying language learning in early childhood. Applicants should possess a strong academic background in psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, or a related field. Experience in developmental psychology, child language, or research methods is highly desirable. International candidates may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through recognized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. While funding is not guaranteed, applicants are encouraged to check the university’s website and project link for potential funding updates or alternative scholarship opportunities. The application deadline is 1 February 2026. Interested candidates should apply online via the University of East Anglia’s application portal, submitting a CV, academic transcripts, and a personal statement. For further information or informal inquiries, contact Professor Larissa Samuelson. For full project details and application instructions, visit the official FindAPhD listing: Project Link .

[Fully funded 3-year PhD studentship, home tuition fees and annual tax-free maintenance stipend at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). Visa expenses, Immigration Health Surcharge, and relocation costs are not covered.] The University of East Anglia invites applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship focused on examining variability in young children’s vocabulary development. This position is part of a Leverhulme Foundation-funded project that tests a neural process theory of vocabulary development, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in developmental and cognitive science. Supervised by Professor Larissa Samuelson, the successful candidate will join the Developmental Science Research Group and the Developmental Dynamics Laboratory, working within a vibrant and supportive research environment. The project involves a longitudinal study of children’s performance on multiple word learning tasks at 18, 24, and 36 months of age, tracking vocabulary growth and exploring the underlying mechanisms of language acquisition. As a PhD student, you will gain hands-on experience in research ethics, task implementation, data processing, analysis, and interpretation. You will also have opportunities to present findings at conferences and disseminate results through publications. The project encourages the development of your own research questions within the scope of the data collection and grant focus, fostering independence and creativity in your doctoral studies. Training will be provided in experimental design, data analysis (with a preference for R), eye-tracking methodologies, and computational modelling of development. Prior experience in these areas is desirable but not essential, as comprehensive support and professional development opportunities are available throughout the PhD. Eligibility requires a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelors degree in Psychology or a related discipline. A Masters degree is optional. The studentship is open to both UK and international applicants, though visa expenses, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and relocation costs are not covered. The funding package includes home tuition fees and an annual tax-free maintenance stipend set at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). The start date for the position is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 1 February 2026. If you are highly motivated and passionate about advancing our understanding of early vocabulary development and language learning, this studentship offers an excellent platform to launch your research career. For further details and to apply, visit the University of East Anglia’s postgraduate research application portal. Prepare your academic transcripts, CV, and a statement of research interest, and submit your application before the deadline.

[Fully funded 3-year PhD studentship; home tuition fees and annual tax-free maintenance stipend at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26); open to UK and international applicants; visa and relocation costs not covered.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia offers an outstanding opportunity to investigate the variability in young children’s vocabulary development. The project, led by Professor Larissa Samuelson, is part of a Leverhulme Foundation-funded initiative testing a neural process theory of vocabulary development. The successful candidate will join the Developmental Science Research Group and the Developmental Dynamics Laboratory, engaging in a longitudinal study that examines children’s performance on multiple word learning tasks at 18, 24, and 36 months of age, alongside their vocabulary growth. As a PhD student, you will gain hands-on experience in experimental design, data processing, analysis, and interpretation, as well as presenting and disseminating research findings. The project also offers opportunities to learn about computational modelling of development and the ethical considerations involved in research with young children. You will be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary team and have access to excellent facilities and professional development resources. Applicants should have a strong academic background in psychology, cognitive science, speech and hearing science, or a related discipline, and a keen interest in developmental research. Experience with experimental design, data analysis (preferably in R), eye-tracking, or working with developmental populations is highly desirable but not essential. The minimum academic requirement is a 2:1 Bachelors degree; Masters degrees are optional. This 3-year PhD studentship is fully funded by the Leverhulme Trust and is open to both UK and international applicants. The funding package includes home tuition fees and an annual tax-free maintenance stipend set at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). Please note that visa expenses, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and other relocation costs are not covered. The application deadline is 1 February 2025, with the project commencing on 1 October 2026. If you are ready to contribute to cutting-edge research in early vocabulary development and language learning, we encourage you to apply via the University of East Anglia’s postgraduate research application portal.