About the Project
The University of York's Department of Psychology is excited to offer a PhD studentship funded by the European Research Council to begin in September 2027 . Under the guidance of Professor Scott Cairney, the project “Forgetting unwanted memories during sleep” will combine innovative neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI, EEG, MEG) with memory manipulation strategies to shed light on the intricate mechanisms that help our sleeping brains filter out unnecessary information, paving the way for…
clinical interventions in emotion regulation and memory-related conditions.
Background
Our memories shape who we are, influencing everything from daily decisions to our sense of self. But the process by which the brain forms, stores, and discards memories remains a mystery. While sleep is known to play a key role in reinforcing relevant memories, its role in eliminating unwanted ones has yet to be fully understood.
This project explores how memory reactivation during sleep may weaken and reduce the accessibility of unwanted memories, promoting adaptive forgetting. Your studies will draw on innovative approaches for manipulating memory processing in sleep, such as targeted memory reactivation, to test theoretical perspectives on sleep’s role in forgetting.
Training
The University of York’s Department of Psychology offers a range of training opportunities for PhD students to support their academic and professional development. As a PhD student, you will collaborate with Professor Scott Cairney, the EPOC lab and the wider sleep and neuroimaging research community. You will benefit from our vibrant Early Career Researcher’s forum, as well as the broader expertise of colleagues within the Institute of Mental Health Research. In your first year, you will complete courses in statistics and programming to enhance and refine your research and statistical skills. Additionally, you can participate in development opportunities in areas such as grant writing, academic publishing, and conference presentation skills. By immersing yourself in our dynamic academic community, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive as an independent researcher and make significant contributions to your chosen field.
Eligibility
1) Applicants must hold, at the time of applying, a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or related disciplines.
2) Possession of a master's degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or related disciplines is desirable but not mandatory.
3) Personal attributes should include:
- Strong analytical abilities,
- A passion for research,
- Capacity for independent thinking and work, and
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
4) Some prior coding experience in any language (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) would be advantageous but not mandatory.
How to apply
To apply, candidates must email the following as a single PDF document to Professor Scott Cairney (scott.cairney@york.ac.uk) with the subject line “PhD Application 2027” by Friday 6th November 2026 at 5pm (GMT). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- 2-page CV.
- Research proposal (1500-2000 words excluding the reference list, single line spacing).
- Degree transcript(s).
- Two referees (name, position, university/organisation, email address).
- Cover letter (1-2 pages) outlining your motivation for applying and suitability to this PhD.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview, to be held on Wednesday 18th November 2026. Interview questions will focus on your ownership of the research proposal, your knowledge of the relevant methods and your understanding of the research topic. The only way you can give good answers to these questions is by reading and critically engaging with the relevant literature, so do not use generative AI to prepare your application. The successful candidate will begin their PhD in September 2027.
The University of York is committed to diversity and inclusion, striving to create an environment where all individuals can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including those who identify as Black, Asian, or from Minority Ethnic communities.
Funding Notes
The funding covers:
- UK home fees for 3 years. International fees are not covered.
- A tax-free stipend for 3 years to cover living costs. The amount is tied to the UKRI studentship rates; for 2026/27 it is £21,805 per year (paid in monthly instalments).
- Research and training costs for 3 years.
PhD students can participate in the teaching and marking of undergraduate and masters-based modules in the Department of Psychology; this work is currently paid at £15.80 per hour and covers contact time, preparation and marking.
Further information
Informal inquiries may be sent to scott.cairney@york.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Funding includes UK home fees, a 3-year tax-free stipend to cover living costs (~£22K per year) and research and training costs.