We are pleased to invite applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD opportunity within the Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing at Imperial College London (ICL). This forms part of the Centre’s annual programme of studentships, generously funded by Dame Marit Mohn OBE.

This PhD will investigate physical activity, cognitive function and mental health in young people using data from the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP) cohort, a unique, large-scale study tracking adolescent health and development in the digital age (scampstudy.org).

The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Mireille Toledano (Director of the Mohn Centre and Professor of Population Child Health, Imperial) and Professor Jonathan Roiser (Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health, UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience).

About the Mohn Centre

Researchers at the Mohn Centre lead high-impact national and international projects, working collaboratively with children, young people, families, health and environmental agencies, and industry to translate research into policy and improve population health. All research within the Centre embeds community involvement and engagement throughout the research cycle.

A key focus of the Mohn Centre’s mission is to train and develop the next generation of academic and policy leaders in the field of child health research. Successful PhD candidates will be supported by a bespoke training programme to ensure that they are equipped with the appropriate skills and experience to become first-class researchers.

Eligibility Criteria

Essential:

  • A Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree with minimum Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours in a relevant quantitative scientific discipline such as psychology, epidemiology, or medical statistics.

OR,

  • If no Master’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree with First-Class Honours (or equivalent international qualification) in a relevant quantitative scientific discipline such as psychology, epidemiology, or medical statistics.
  • Strong background in statistics and quantitative data analysis and familiarity with statistical/computational tools (e.g., R, Python, Stata).
  • Candidates must meet Imperial College’s English language requirements (Higher level) unless exempt.

Desirable:

  • Experience in machine learning, public health, or epidemiological research.
  • Experience working with or communicating with young people.

In exceptional cases, the Centre may consider funding a Master’s degree for outstanding candidates who do not yet hold one.

Funding and Start Dates

The studentship covers Home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend (tax-free) starting at £23,383.
The studentship will commence 1 October 2026.
This opportunity is open to candidates eligible for Home fee status only.

Research Environment 

The Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, based in Imperial’s School of Public Health, is a world-leading hub for research into children’s mental and physical health in urban environments. The successful student will be based in the new School of Public Health building at Imperial’s White City Campus, benefiting from an interdisciplinary research environment and collaborations across Imperial and beyond.

The Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, based at UCL, is a world leading research centre studying the human mind and brain. The Neuroscience and Mental health group studies the psychological and brain processes that underlie mental health problems and their treatment, particularly depression and anxiety. A key methodological focus of the group is the use of computational modelling applied to behaviour in a theory-driven manner, and linking the results of psychological investigations to function in specific brain circuits.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following documents by email to mohncentre@imperial.ac.uk, quoting ‘Mohn Centre PhD Studentship Application’ in the subject line:

  • Completed Application Form
  • English language test results (IELTS or TOEFL), unless exempt
  • Undergraduate and Master’s degree transcripts (including average grades)

Closing date: 23:59 GMT Sunday 25 January 2026.

Interviews will take place 5 February. 

For queries about the studentship, please contact mohncentre@imperial.ac.uk.