PhD: Development and validation of a novel smartphone application for the assessment of acute and chronic stress, allowing the investigation of eating behaviours in association with stress during everyday life

Short info about job

Detail information about job PhD: Development and validation of a novel smartphone application for the assessment of acute and chronic stress, allowing the investigation of eating behaviours in association with stress during everyday life. Terms and conditions vacancy

Funding amount: £14,000 maintenance grant per annum

Lead Supervisor name: Prof. Katherine Appleton

This project aims firstly to develop and validate a novel smartphone application for the assessment of both acute and chronic stress during everyday life. Secondly, the project will utilise this application to investigate associations between stress and eating behaviour. The work will be undertaken over a three year period in a series of studies, based on: reviewing existing measures of stress; development and validation of a smartphone application; and the investigation of eating behaviours in relation to acute and chronic stress.

The work will result in a novel and validated smartphone application for the measurement of stress during everyday life, of potential use and benefit for a range of academic researchers. The validation will also result in increased understanding of the relationships between subjective, implicit and objective measures of stress. Secondly, the work will extend current understanding of the links between stress and eating behaviour, with the aim of increasing understanding, developing future interventions, and improving population health. The work will be of interest to all those with an interest in improved health, both from a stress perspective and from a healthy eating perspective. To improve the societal impact of the project, the work will be undertaken following recruitment of individuals from workplace settings, and may be extended to include individuals with diagnosed stress-related and anxiety disorders (dependent on contacts). A wide variety of health and human resource professionals and professional bodies, and the population as a whole will benefit from increased understanding of stress, the relations between stress and eating behaviour and diet, and the evidence for possible future interventions. The findings of the project could result in an extension of the application for personal use, and for the development of interventions.

What does the funded studentship include?

Funded candidates will receive a maintenance grant of £14,000 per annum (unless otherwise specified), to cover their living expenses and have their fees waived for 36 months. In addition, research costs, including field work and conference attendance, will be met.

Funded Studentships are open to both UK/EU and International students unless otherwise specified.

Eligibility criteria

Studentship candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic potential with preferably a 1st class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree with distinction.

Some computing or programming skills and experience are desirable, but not essential.

Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 18 October 2017.

For further information on how to apply click the ‘Apply’ button below or email [email protected]