Testing a Wearable Use-at-Home Device for Mental Health Conditions: Noninvasive Ultrasound Stimulation of the Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve University of Nottingham in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD project at the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, explores the use of a novel wearable device (Zenbud) for noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve to treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Brain stimulation is an established NICE-approved intervention for depression, but current methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) require hospital-based administration, limiting accessibility and increasing costs. The Zenbud device offers a promising alternative, enabling at-home brain stimulation and potentially expanding treatment access to a wider patient population.

Recent pilot studies using the Zenbud device have demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms (over 50% within three weeks) and improvements in depression scores among anxiety patients, with interventions delivered for just five minutes per day at home. This project will involve testing the device's outcomes by observing changes in mood and depression scores, as well as physiological effects such as heart rate variability. The student will also investigate patient experiences and work to identify optimal methods for delivering ultrasound vagus nerve stimulation.

Depending on the project's outcomes, there will be opportunities to contribute to the design of future clinical trials, working across research centers at both the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham. The research areas span biomedical engineering, neuroscience, medical science, psychology, and machine learning, providing a multidisciplinary environment for the successful candidate.

The position is supervised by Professor Marcus Kaiser (University of Nottingham), Dr. Paul Briley (University of Nottingham), and Professor Steven Marwaha (University of Birmingham). The studentship is funded by the Medical Research Council for four years and includes a stipend, tuition fees (for both home and international students), a laptop allowance, a research training and support grant (£5,000 per annum), and a travel allowance (£300 per annum).

Applications are welcome from home, EU, and international candidates, though international recruitment is capped at 30% of the cohort. Applicants should have a strong academic background in biomedical engineering, medical science, neuroscience, or psychology. Experience in clinical research, medical devices, or mental health is advantageous. For further details and to apply, visit the MRC AIM website. The application deadline is 12:00 pm GMT on January 9, 2026.

References supporting the research include recent studies on brain stimulation and neuromodulation for depression and anxiety, highlighting the scientific foundation and innovative nature of this project.