Mechanisms of Learning Under Uncertainty: Neural, Physiological, and Computational Perspectives on Mental Health Queen Mary University of London in United Kingdom

This PhD project, supervised by Dr. Annemieke Apergis-Schoute and Dr. Valdas Noreika, investigates the mechanisms of learning under uncertainty from neural, physiological, and computational perspectives, with a particular focus on mental health. Hosted in the FLEX LAB within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary University of London, the research aims to understand how flexible learning processes adapt to uncertainty and how their breakdown can lead to maladaptive behaviours, such as those seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions.

Building on Dr. Apergis-Schoute’s extensive research in cognitive flexibility and neural functioning in OCD, the project will develop and test new experimental paradigms to study learning under uncertainty in the general population. The student will design behavioural tasks that manipulate uncertainty and feedback, utilizing a multimodal approach that includes EEG, eye-tracking, and psychophysiological recordings (skin conductance, heart-rate variability) to capture neural, attentional, and emotional dynamics. Computational models will be employed to quantify individual differences in flexibility, perseveration, and sensitivity to uncertainty.

The research will expand current understanding beyond simple probabilistic paradigms, aiming to provide a more nuanced picture of how uncertainty affects learning and its relationship to mental health. The project will also explore how traits such as anxiety and compulsivity influence these processes. The student will gain expertise in EEG, psychophysiology, computational modelling, and experimental psychology, working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. The findings are expected to offer new insights into the impact of uncertainty on learning and emotion, with direct relevance for clinical practice and mental health interventions.

The position is open to Chinese citizens applying for CSC funding. Queen Mary University of London will cover tuition fees, while the China Scholarship Council will provide living expenses and a return flight ticket. Applicants must have or expect to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in a relevant field, demonstrate interest in the project’s themes, and meet English language requirements. Formal applications must be submitted online by January 28, 2026, with all required documentation.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and successful applicants will receive a conditional offer letter before applying to CSC for the scholarship.