Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct research on the effectiveness of IPS for individuals with alcohol and drug dependence.
- Company: Join King’s College London, a leading institution in psychiatry and neuroscience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a fully funded PhD studentship with access to top-notch resources and mentorship.
- Other info: Funding is exclusively for Home Fees Status students; apply by 17th October 2025.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health while developing advanced research skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in biostatistics or data science is essential; passion for causal inference is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
The Addictions Department (School of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London) invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship beginning in February 2026. Please note the funding is only available for Home Fees Status students.
Background
This doctoral research will investigate the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for people with alcohol and drug dependence. IPS is a psychosocial intervention designed to help individuals obtain and sustain employment in the competitive job market. It is well established in mental and physical health conditions. A successful randomised controlled trial evaluated IPS for people with alcohol and drug dependence, and IPS services are now commissioned in 95% of local authority areas across England. In the past 12 months, approximately 8,000 people with alcohol and drug dependence commenced an episode of IPS.
Project Summary
This doctoral research will evaluate the effectiveness of IPS as delivered in routine practice for people with alcohol and drug dependence. This will be a large-scale longitudinal cohort study using national registry data on employment and health. A target trial emulation framework will be used with advanced causal inference methods – including inverse probability weighting to construct a valid comparison group. The analysis will use the potential outcomes approach to address time-dependent confounding, selection bias, and variation in how individuals receive and engage with IPS, alcohol and drug dependence treatment, and other health services. Traditional regression and marginal structural models will be extended with machine learning techniques for counterfactual prediction and to support sensitivity analyses
Candidate
The studentship is suited to a candidate with a strong background in biostatistics or data science, and a clear interest in applying these skills to questions of causal inference in longitudinal observational designs. Please note the funding is only available for Home Fees Status students.
Contact
The project will be supervised by Professor John Marsden, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care.
To express interest, please send a short biographical summary (maximum 300 words) and an outline of how you would approach the research (maximum 300 words) to Margarita Bela (EA-Marsden@kcl.ac.uk).
The deadline is Friday 17th October 2025.
If you have any academic queries about the project, please contact:
Professor John Marsden (john.marsden@kcl.ac.uk).
Fully funded PhD studentship beginning in February 2026. Please note the funding is only available for Home Fees Status students.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PhD Studentship: Investigate the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for pe[...] employer: King’s College London
Contact Detail:
King’s College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship: Investigate the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for pe[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Understanding its principles and how it applies to people with alcohol and drug dependence will give you a solid foundation for your discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of biostatistics and data science, especially those who have experience with causal inference and longitudinal studies. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to make connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous research experiences and how they relate to the project. Be ready to explain your approach to using advanced causal inference methods and machine learning techniques in your research.
✨Tip Number 4
Reach out to Professor John Marsden or Margarita Bela with thoughtful questions about the project. This shows your genuine interest and can help you stand out as a candidate who is proactive and engaged.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship: Investigate the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for pe[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the project's aims and methodologies. Familiarise yourself with Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and its relevance to alcohol and drug dependence.
Craft Your Biographical Summary: Write a concise biographical summary that highlights your academic background, relevant experience, and skills in biostatistics or data science. Make sure to keep it within the 300-word limit.
Outline Your Research Approach: In your outline, clearly articulate how you would approach the research. Discuss your understanding of causal inference and longitudinal observational designs, ensuring you stay within the 300-word limit.
Proofread and Submit: Before sending your application, proofread both documents for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Ensure you have included all required information and send your application to the specified email address before the deadline.
How to prepare for a job interview at King’s College London
✨Understand the Research Context
Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and its application in addiction treatment. Be prepared to discuss how your background in biostatistics or data science can contribute to evaluating IPS's effectiveness.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Highlight your experience with causal inference methods and longitudinal observational designs. Be ready to provide examples of past projects where you applied these skills, particularly in a research context.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask Professor John Marsden about the project. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand the expectations and challenges of the PhD studentship.
✨Communicate Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for the research topic and its potential impact on individuals with alcohol and drug dependence. Share any personal motivations or experiences that drive your interest in this field.