EPSRC PhD Studentship: Behaviour Change for Brain Health Supported by AI Imagery

Heriot-Watt University – Social Sciences

Amount: Annual stipend for 3.5 years at UKRI stipend rates (set at £20,789 in the AY 2025-26), plus tuition fees waived.

Level: Postgraduate research (Edinburgh campus; full-time)

Eligibility: UK students only

Entry date: 12th January 2026

Closing date: 4th December 2025. Interviews will be held via MS Teams on Monday 15th December.

We are looking to recruit a high-quality PhD candidate for the project titled “Behaviour change for brain health supported by AI imagery”.

The School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University is offering a full-time PhD studentship funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to start in January 2026. The studentship includes a tuition fee waiver and an annual stipend set at £20,789 for 2025-26. The duration of the studentship is 3.5 years.

The School consists of the Department of Psychology, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies, the Department of Research Methods and Practice, and Edinburgh Business School. Our research in psychology focusses on applied solutions, including interventions in brain health and dementia. Research students have access to a range of training and other activities supported by the School, and through the University’s Research Futures Academy. The PhD studentship will benefit from the multidisciplinary research and practice environment of the university’s Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies.

Summary of project

As we age, we may experience changes in our brain health. For most people, these changes are related to ageing; for some they reflect underlying diseases of the brain leading to dementia. There is growing evidence about the lifestyles and behaviours that promote and protect brain health across the life course, and those that reduce or delay changes when we’re older. Identifying these protective factors is a global research priority, as is transforming that knowledge into action. Developing interventions to reduce or slow age-related cognitive decline can harness new technologies to deliver those at scale; these must ensure behaviour change principles are embedded in their design to ensure their effectiveness.

The proposed project is in collaboration with an industry partner which is developing image-based interventions to support people living with dementia. Their interactive platform presents images that serve as prompts for reminiscence, social connection and activity. The first images presented are from a standardised pool of images with personal or local relevance. Based on the images selected and the responses they elicit, new images are generated to deepen and extend interactions and subsequent behaviour change. This platform provides the basis for the proposed project, to be adapted for older adults living in the community with no current cognitive impairment; a pivot towards behaviour change and risk reduction. The aim is to consider how individualised AI-generated imagery can be used to promote behaviour change for brain health.

Supervisory Team

Professor Alan Gow (Professor in Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Edinburgh)

Dr Kelly Wolfe (Assistant Professor in Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Edinburgh)

Professor Mario Parra Rodriguez (Professor in Psychology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with Professor Alan Gow at A.J.Gow@hw.ac.uk for an informal discussion prior to submitting their application.

Entry Criteria and Application

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree with a minimum classification of 2:1 in Psychology or a relevant field. For this PhD studentship, relevant fields could include training in computer science, human-computer interaction, etc. A Master’s degree is desirable.

In addition, candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University’s minimum English-language requirements. If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English, the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Please note that possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee shortlisting for interview.

Candidates should apply for a full-time psychology PhD at the Edinburgh campus via www.hw.ac.uk/study/apply/uk/postgraduate.htm. When completing the online application form, please indicate that you are applying to the ‘SoSS EPSRC PhD Studentship’ in the field that asks how you will fund your studies.

Applicants should supply:

1. A full Curriculum Vitae.
2. Copies of full academic transcripts from all previous academic degree courses and copies of degree certificates for degrees already awarded. If you are currently pursuing a degree course please provide all available marks to date. If your degree is from a non-UK institution, please provide evidence of the UK equivalency of your qualification.
3. A brief covering letter outlining why you want to study for a PhD at Heriot-Watt University, and what makes you an excellent candidate.
4. An outline research proposal (max. 1500 words). This should include relevant background literature leading to a statement of the aim above, and the PhD candidate’s proposed objectives. The proposal should then outline the research to be conducted within the following phases: Scoping and ideation; Co-design; Short-term behaviour change; Proof-of-concept behaviour change for brain health. In addition, ethical considerations and dissemination activities should be clearly described.

Interviews will be conducted via video conferencing (e.g. MS Teams or similar) on Monday 15 December 2025. Interview support for those with disabilities will be available where required (e.g. a BSL interpreter).

If you have any general queries about the applications process, please contact soss.pgradmissions@hw.ac.uk

At Heriot-Watt University we understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We want to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. Heriot-Watt is committed to giving access and opportunities to student carers, and received the Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award from Carers Trust Scotland in 2020.