[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.