Do you have a background in cognitive neuroscience or psychology, an interest in consciousness, and a desire to help people with mental illness?  A fully-funded PhD position is now available at the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science to work on a potential new therapy for depression, based on the ability of stroboscopic light to create vivid visual experiences.   

Stroboscopic light experienced with closed eyes typically causes vivid visual experiences and, for many people, powerful emotional responses. Recently, we completed a public art-science experience called Dreamachine (https://dreamachine.world/), which enabled nearly 40,000 people to safely have these types of stroboscopic experiences. The vast majority reported that Dreamachine was a highly enjoyable and positive experience. Many, without prompting, mentioned that it helped alleviate their depression and related mental states. These numerous anecdotal reports of mental health benefits align with several other lines of evidence from both humans and non-human animals, which together suggest that stroboscopic light may help alleviate depression.  

We are now seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a team taking the first steps toward testing the therapeutic potential of stroboscopic light in treating mild to moderate forms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The project will begin by systematically evaluating the safety and tolerability profile of brief exposures to stroboscopic light of differing subjective intensities in individuals with MDD. Based on these findings, the project will go on to develop and test a 30-minute stroboscopic intervention protocol within a pilot randomised trial, assessing the safety and potential minor side effects associated with the intervention, as well as the practicality of conducting a future full-fledged clinical trial within this group. 

Beyond the core project plan, there is also the opportunity for the successful candidate to develop independent lines of research using lab-based psychophysical and/or imaging experiments relating to stroboscopic light. These new contexts could include (i) characterising how the neural effects of stroboscopic light relate to the associated visual experiences (ii) investigating the factors that give rise to individual differences in stroboscopic experiences.    

The successful candidate will join the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS), an internationally prominent research group in consciousness science and one of the University’s Centres of Excellence. Our core mission is to advance the scientific understanding of consciousness and to use the insights from this research for the benefit of society, medicine, and technology. Based in our Informatics lab, you will be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team led by Professor Anil Seth, which spans the departments of Informatics, Philosophy, Psychology and BSMS, and which enjoys a wide range of experimental and computational facilities (including EEG/TMS/fMRI/VR). The group has strong collaborative links beyond Sussex, including leading consciousness researchers both nationally and internationally. 

You will be part of a new team funded by lead supervisor Dr Schwartzman’s Medical Research Council (MRC) grant. The project inaugurates a new collaboration between the SCCS (Schwartzman and Seth) and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) with Professor James Stone who brings a wealth of research and clinical experience with depression to the project team. You will have a background in experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field, have strong  statistical/mathematical skills, and ideally bring experience with imaging and/or working with clinical populations. The position will involve collaborative work within the Sussex team, as well as with external collaborators. You will be expected to show initiative in developing this research project, and to take on some administrative responsibilities associated with the wider project.  

The stipend is available to: UK / EU / Overseas. 

The fee waiver is available to: UK / EU / Overseas. 

Eligible candidates will have an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree or above, in a relevant field.  

The University of Sussex believes that the diversity of its staff and student community is fundamental to creative thinking, pedagogic innovation, intellectual challenge, and the interdisciplinary approach to research and learning. We celebrate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Please clearly state on your application that you are applying for the Investigating the Safety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of a Stroboscopic Intervention in Mild to Moderate Forms of Major Depressive Disorder under the supervision of Dr David Schwartzman.

Please ensure you application includes each of the following: 

• A personal statement. 
• Your CV.
• Degree certificates and transcripts. 
• 2 references, including a minimum of 1 from any institution studied at within the last 5 years.
• If your first language is not English you will need to demonstrate that you meet the University’s English language requirements, see here for details of our accepted documentation.