Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

PSH50390325

Department

School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences

Start dates

April 2025

Application deadline

21 February 2025

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three and a half year PhD to commence in April 2025. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health, and will be supervised by Dr Anthony Shepherd, Dr Jo Corbett and Dr Thierry Middleton.  


This project is funded by the Community Sauna Baths in London. The funding for the studentship includes the tuition fees for 4 years and a stipend for 3.5 years (UKRI rate £19,237 for 2024/25). The project has a significant consumables budget which will enable us to examine different ‘omics’ depending on the candidate’s preferences and experience. The successful candidate will also receive full access to the Graduate School Development Programme, and the internal qualifications that enable applications for Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. Finally, all department-wide development activities will be made available to the successful candidate and where appropriate, supporting budgetary requirements.

 

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.   

 

The work on this project could involve:

  • Working between companies in London and the University of Portsmouth.
  • The use of world leading laboratories, equipment and techniques.   
  • Collaboration with world-leading researchers.

The use of saunas (and passive heating) has been shown to help humans acclimate to heat, improve cardiovascular physiology, and alter sleep quality. However, naturally occurring high temperatures, such as heat waves, have been shown to negatively affect human physiology and sleep. With the frequency and duration of extreme heat events increasing, simple and inexpensive interventions are needed to mitigate their impact on the general public. Our aim is to understand the physiological and psychological mechanisms by which heat alters sleep in a community setting and to determine if the use of saunas can help people adapt to extreme heat events. This project presents an exciting opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team to examine whether saunas affect sleep and if their use can help humans adapt to extreme heat events.

The research will be conducted in the world-leading extreme environments and the CHaRT laboratories at the University of Portsmouth, with further collaboration with Dr. Josh Foster from King's College London and Dr. Earric Lee from the Montreal Heart Institute. Additional biochemical testing and analysis will occur within the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Group under the guidance of Prof. Robson. The student will work closely with their supervisors and the wider team, fully immersing themselves in running clinical trials and analyses.

 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

In addition to the general admissions above, candidates are expected to have at least one of the following: 

 

  • Experience conducting research using extreme stressors;
  • Experience assessing vascular function;
  • Experience working with people with chronic disease / general public; 
  • Experience working with asylum seekers 

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Ant Shepherd (ant.shepherd@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSH50390325  when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.