PhD – From Relaxation to Cognition: Mapping the Neurophysiology of GABAergic Modulation

The University of Exeter’s Department of Psychology is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by GABA Labs and University of Exeter to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Washington Singer Building in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain’s principal inhibitory neurotransmitter, playing a vital role in regulating neural excitability, cognition, mood, and social behaviour. Alcohol is well known for its ability to enhance GABAergic function—contributing to its relaxing, anxiolytic and social effects. However, the downsides of alcohol, including sedation, cognitive impairment, and dependency risk, are increasingly motivating the search for safer, more targeted alternatives. In recent years, there has been growing interest in natural interventions—ranging from botanical extracts to functional drinks—that aim to modulate GABA activity without the risks associated with alcohol. These include novel non-alcoholic beverages like Sentia, developed as sophisticated alternatives designed to engage the brain’s GABA system. Despite widespread curiosity and promising user reports, the effects of such interventions on the brain and behaviour remain poorly understood.

This PhD project will explore the neurophysiological and behavioural impact of GABA-enhancing, non-alcoholic interventions. Using high-density electroencephalography (EEG), behavioural tasks, and computational modelling, the student will examine how these interventions influence brain dynamics, cognition, and subjective experience.

Research Aims and Methodology

The central research question is: How do GABA-enhancing interventions shape human brain activity and behaviour compared to traditional agents like alcohol? To address this, the student will:

• Design and conduct controlled experimental studies using EEG and behavioural paradigms relevant to attention, mood, anxiety, and social interaction.
• Analyse resting-state and task-evoked oscillatory dynamics using advanced signal processing and computational modelling techniques.
• Explore individual differences in response to GABAergic interventions and investigate potential biomarkers of effect.
• Engage with subjective experience data (e.g. visual analogue scales, self-report) to triangulate physiological and experiential findings.

The project is deliberately open-ended, allowing the student to shape the exact experimental questions and analysis pathways. This flexibility makes the project ideal for a motivated student with interests in neuropsychopharmacology, cognitive neuroscience, consciousness research, or computational psychiatry.

Training and Environment

The student will join a dynamic interdisciplinary environment at the University of Exeter, within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. You will be part of a vibrant research community engaged in cutting-edge work at the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and translational research. Training will be provided in:

• EEG setup and data acquisition.
• Advanced signal analysis and neural modelling.
• Study design and experimental psychology methods.
• Open science and reproducibility practices.
• Scientific writing, presentation, and professional development.

There may be some off-site testing required, for example in collaboration with industry partners or during field assessments of intervention use.

Entry requirements

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a background in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, cognitive science, or a related field. Strong interest or experience in EEG, computational methods, psychopharmacology or consciousness studies is advantageous. This studentship would suit someone who is curious, self-directed, and excited to explore how neurobiology and lived experience interact. Candidates from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds in academia are especially encouraged to apply. The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£25k) and no stipend. International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The collaboration involves a project partner who is providing funding and other material support to the project, which means there are special terms that apply to the project. These will be discussed with candidates at interview and fully set out in the offer letter. The collaboration with the named project partner is subject to contract. Please note full details of the project partner’s contribution and involvement with the project is still to be confirmed and may change during the course of contract negotiations. Full details will be confirmed at offer stage.

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Psychology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences or similar. If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency.

How to apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents:

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English. The closing date for applications is midnight on July 8th 2025. Interviews will be held in person at the University of Exeter Streatham campus (or online). All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.