Dear All, 
*Apologies for cross-posting*
Applications are invited for three-year PhD studentships at the University of Plymouth, UK. 
The studentships will start on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The closing date for applications is Friday 9 May 2025 (midnight, UK time).
A list of projects can be found below. It is essential that candidates discuss their proposal/plans with their intended supervisor(s), prior to writing their proposal and submitting an application. The school can only consider PhD research proposals that have the support of a supervisor (see required documents).
-------------------------------------------------
1- AI-Based Analysis of Voice Biomarkers in Neurodevelopmental Disorders 
 
This interdisciplinary PhD project will harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies to analyse vocal patterns within clinical populations, specifically targeting Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The project aims to develop innovative diagnostic models, such as deep learning models, that accurately identify and differentiate unique vocal characteristics to each disorder utilising extensive and varied datasets of autistic, ADHD and neurotypical people, enhancing our understanding and diagnostic capabilities for these conditions. 
  
Candidates should have a basic knowledge in AI and machine learning techniques, especially those applicable to audio processing and speech analysis. While knowledge of psychological or neurological principles is advantageous, it is not compulsory. 
 
The candidate will be part of a collaboration between Clinical Psychology and Computer Science, offering a unique chance to pioneer in the application of AI to clinical diagnostics. This interdisciplinary effort aims to push the boundaries of how machine learning can improve understanding and treatment strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders. 
- Contact: Dr. Gray Atherton, gray.atherton@plymouth.ac.uk
2-  Virtual Reality Training for Spatial Familiarity with Autistic Individuals 
This PhD project aims to develop a virtual reality (VR) training program to help autistic individuals navigate unfamiliar spaces with reduced anxiety as well as explore new imaginary spaces that can build confidence. Utilising VR technology, the project will recreate common environments to allow participants to engage with these spaces in a safe and controlled setting. The use of a VE2 walking treadmill will intensify the realism of the experience, enabling participants to physically walk through these virtual spaces, thereby improving spatial familiarity and comfort.  
 
Candidates are expected to have a foundational understanding of VR programming, including expertise in Unity. Skills in integrating sophisticated sensory technologies such as eye-tracking and face recognition are appreciated, as they will be used to tailor and adapt scenarios based on real-time user reactions and interactions. This role calls for a blend of technical acumen and creative problem-solving, offering a chance to pioneer VR applications that extend beyond entertainment into therapeutic settings. 
 
This interdisciplinary initiative bridges the gap between Clinical Psychology and Computer Science, offering candidates an opportunity to pioneer methods that could significantly advance therapeutic practices for neurodevelopmental disorders. 

- Contact: Dr. Liam Cross, liam.cross@plymouth.ac.uk
3- Enhancing Social Interaction for Autistic Individuals through Anthropomorphic Augmented Reality 

This PhD project seeks to explore how autistic individuals often show a preference for interacting with non-human entities such as animals, cartoons, and robots, possibly due to the simpler social cues and lack of negative biases associated with human faces. Leveraging these insights, the project will develop an augmented reality (AR) application designed to overlay human faces with non-human characteristics, thereby enhancing comfort, social attention, and engagement among autistic participants.  

We are seeking a PhD candidate proficient in AR technologies, with hands-on experience in platforms like Hololens, and a good foundation in computer science. The successful candidate will be driven by a desire to apply cutting-edge AR solutions to real-world challenges in education and healthcare settings. The candidate will engage in developing complex AR interfaces and utilise user-centred design principles to create applications that significantly improve social interactions for autistic individuals. Familiarity with the psychological aspects of autism will be crucial in customizing the technology to meet user needs effectively. 
- Contact: Dr. Gray Atherton, gray.atherton@plymouth.ac.uk
4- Examining Cohesion and Authoritarianism through Synchronised VR Interactions 
This project seeks to explore how moving in synchrony with others within a virtual reality (VR) environment influences social behaviour, enhancing cohesion and potentially promoting obedient tendencies. The research will employ VR to simulate scenarios where participants can engage in synchronized activities, studying the psychological effects of these interactions. These effects have historical significance in contexts such as war, riots, an other scenarios. The project will manipulate environmental factors, virtual agents, and reward systems to observe how these controlled variables influence behaviours related to conformity and personal control. 
  
We are looking for a PhD candidate with a good experience in VR programming, tools and platforms, interested in using this technology to probe the complex dynamics of human behaviour and applying their technical skills to investigate social psychological phenomena. This interdisciplinary initiative provides a unique opportunity to explore how synchronized movements in virtual environments can shape social behaviours and influence group dynamics, enhancing our understanding of technology's role in social cohesion and control. 

- Contact: Dr. Liam Cross, liam.cross@plymouth.ac.uk
5- Pure Fantasy: Harnessing VR to Explore and Enhance the Ideal Self in Autistic Individuals  
This innovative project taps into the enduring popularity of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), particularly within the autism community, to explore and enhance self-concept through immersive virtual reality (VR). D&D has long served as a valuable tool for autistic individuals to experiment with their identities and improve social skills. Our project aims to create a groundbreaking VR D&D experience that allows players to design avatars embodying traits they aspire to develop or accentuate. Leveraging the Proteus effect, which suggests that the characteristics of an avatar can influence a user’s behaviour, this study will observe how players navigate complex social interactions and quests within a richly detailed virtual world. Players will physically navigate this world using VE2 treadmills, enhancing the immersion and physicality of the experience. 
  
We seek a PhD candidate with good skills in VR development, eager to push the boundaries of what VR can achieve in psychological and therapeutic contexts. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with the Computer Sciences department at the University of Plymouth to refine VR paradigms and should possess an interest in the psychological aspects of VR immersion, specifically how it relates to behaviour change and self-concept in special populations. This interdisciplinary initiative offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology, psychology, and role-playing games, aiming to provide meaningful insights into how virtual experiences can influence real-world behaviour and self-perception. 
- Contact: Dr. Gray Atherton, gray.atherton@plymouth.ac.uk
6- Board games for autistic wellbeing 
Board games offer educational and social benefits, particularly for neurodiverse players who thrive in structured settings. This project will establish a board gaming hub for neurodiverse adults, partnering with clinical services to combine social engagement with mental health support. There are currently multiple sites and practices in the Devon area and wider UK keen to take part, and the candidate will have good communication and organisational skills commiserate with working across sites and disciplines.  

Specifically, we seek a candidate with experience in working with clinical populations and a passion for board gaming. This role suits those interested in intervention design, adult social care, and gaming development for special populations. The candidate will be interested in understanding how to adapt board games for individuals with different needs, and how to liase with research teams and clinical health providers to understand how to most effectively deliver an intervention of this nature. This role will involve working in schools and  with young people. 
- Contact: Dr. Liam Cross, liam.cross@plymouth.ac.uk
----------------------------------------------------
Eligibility and funding
Applicants should have a first-class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant MSc or MRes qualification.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, an academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. 
The studentship is supported for three years and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend of at least £18,655 per annum (2025/26 rate still to be determined). 
To apply
To apply, please complete our online application form for PhD Psychology for entry in October 2025 and submit the following mandatory documents: 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me

Regards

--------------------------------------------

Dr. Amir Aly, PhD, FHEA, SIEEE
Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Programme Manager of Artificial Intelligence 
UK and Ireland IEEE RAS Chapter Vice Chair
Director of the Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS)
School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics
Room A307 Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA
University of Plymouth, UK