Sheffield Hallam University: Psychology Demonstratorships – Neural Basis of Loneliness and Belonginess

Applications are invited for Psychology Demonstratorships in the Institute of Social Sciences, commencing October 2025.

The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study (pro-rata part time) and covers PhD fees and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £20,974 per year in the academic year 24/25.

The demonstratorship scholarship scheme aims to develop highly skilled postgraduate researchers. More information can be found here. Further information on Sheffield Hallam University PhD scholarships is provided in the Conditions of Award document.

The Institute of Social Sciences

Our Institute addresses current social science issues in climate and environment, geography, planning, politics, psychology and sociology.

Our employment-focused courses and thriving research culture make sure that you will have the opportunity to put theory into practice, develop ideas, test them and apply them.

Our supportive and approachable staff have expertise in a range of social science fields, and conduct impactful research that improves our minds, health and the wider community.

Our staff are experts on issues that matter and are often called upon by the media, including BBC Radio and Television, and media from outside the UK.

Central to the institute’s research is the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology, where we apply contemporary psychological theory and behavioural science to issues of wellbeing, health, social inclusion, cognition and behaviour change. CeBSAP offers consultancy services to and works alongside local government, charities, and businesses, to develop and evaluate interventions to improve health and wellbeing.

Project Title: Neural Basis of Loneliness and Belonginess

Experiencing long-term loneliness can cause not only physical and mental health issues but also lower education and employability rates. This project aims to take a broad approach to understanding loneliness and will explore how people feel and think about loneliness and belongingness, while also studying brain differences in those who experience loneliness compared to those who do not. This is a multidisciplinary, mixed methods project, which aims to understand the neural and subjective experiences of loneliness and belongingness in young people (aged 18-25). A newly devised lexical Decision Task (LDT) will be used to record performance accuracy and speed, as well as electrophysiological brain responses to loneliness-related, belongingness, neutral, and pseudowords. It will also track brain activity with a highly precise technique called Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), which can detect changes in brain activity within milliseconds. By comparing the brain activity of lonely and non-lonely young adults, this study hopes to uncover how long-term loneliness affects the brain. In addition, the project may involve a combination of questionnaire-based and interviews to understand more about the experience of loneliness in young people, and their sense of belongingness to places and spaces, which can act as protective factors against loneliness.

Supervisors: Dr Antonia Ypsilanti, Dr Naira Taroyan, Dr Richard White

If you are interested in this project, and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact Dr Antonia Ypsilanti ([email protected]).

The Institute of Social Sciences will be running an advice webinar for individuals wishing to apply to this project. If you would like to join that webinar, or receive a recording of it, please fill in your details here.

Demonstratorship scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants.

To apply for a PhD, you will need to meet our entry requirements and provide:

A complete online application including:

· A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.

· A personal statement – In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you:

1. What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project?
2. How did you come up with your project proposal?
3. What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you?
4. Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences.

· Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts (All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 minimum) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit minimum)).

· Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.

· Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

International Students

International students* will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme’s start date.

2. Educated with a UK Master’s degree level (merit minimum) within two years preceding your doctoral programme’s start date.

*UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

For further information regarding our entry requirements, please visit the Psychology PhD page.

Applying for a studentship

Please complete an online application form for October 2025, available here. Please enter the name of the project you are applying for in the Personal Statement section of the application form.

Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University, whilst in receipt of the scholarship.

Closing date for applications: 17:00 (BST) on Friday 28^th March 2025.

Interviews are to take place during the weeks commencing 28^th April and 8^th May.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.