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- Tasks: Research chronic pain's impact on mental health in adolescents and explore healthcare inequalities.
- Company: Join a dynamic research team at a leading university focused on mental health and chronic pain.
- Benefits: Receive a competitive stipend, funding for research expenses, and opportunities to attend conferences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives by addressing mental health complexities in chronic pain.
- Qualifications: Upper second-class honours degree or relevant Master's in psychology, public health, or related fields.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts and gain valuable skills in evidence synthesis and data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 20780 - 20780 £ per year.
Chronic pain affects 21% of children and adolescents; that is nearly 3 million young people in the UK. Young people with chronic pain are at increased risk of mental health difficulties compared to their pain-free peers. While anxiety and depression are well-established comorbidities, less attention has been given to other mental health needs and challenges, including neurodiversity and suicidal distress, which are increasingly observed in paediatric pain services. Pain is a common reason for seeking healthcare, yet mental health complexity can hinder treatment access and benefit. There is an urgent need to understand psychosocial differences in treatment access and outcomes, healthcare inequalities, and opportunities to strengthen community-based and specialist support.
The Group
You will join a growing research team examining the interplay between physical and mental health, focussing on adolescents with chronic pain. Our mission is to identify emerging mental health needs and translate findings into actionable targets for prevention and intervention. Our work spans community and clinical settings, drawing on developmental and clinical psychology, psychiatric epidemiology, public health, and qualitative research. We collaborate with experts in pain science, self-harm research, adolescent mental health, intervention development, and implementation science, and partner with paediatric pain services in Oxford and Bath to ensure real-world relevance.
The DPhil
The specific focus will be refined with the successful candidate. You will use a combination of methods (e.g., systematic reviews, secondary data analyses, and qualitative research) to examine psychosocial differences in treatment access and outcomes, healthcare inequalities, and opportunities for scalable, community-based support. Your work will generate clinically and policy-relevant evidence with clear potential for patient impact, underpinned by methodological rigour and stakeholder engagement.
Training/supervision
Under supervision of Dr Verena Hinze and Professor Willem Kuyken, you will gain skills in evidence synthesis, data analysis, qualitative research, and stakeholder engagement, as appropriate. You will work with large-scale clinical (routinely collected pain services data) and community-based, longitudinal datasets (e.g., CIPA).
Candidate profile
We welcome ambitious applicants with at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) and/or a relevant Master’s degree in psychology, psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, or related fields. Applicants should demonstrate experience of independent research (dissertation or substantial research project). Experience with large datasets and statistical analyses (e.g., regression models) in R, STATA, or similar software is desirable. We particularly welcome applicants interested in interdisciplinary research and collaborative work with young people and stakeholders. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Funding/application
The scholarship covers course fees up to the value of home fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI standard rate (£20,780 per annum), plus additional support for research expenses and conference attendance. Applicants with overseas fee status would need to fund the fee difference from alternative sources. Applications must be submitted via the University’s online graduate application form. To access the application form and guidance please visit our website at www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/apply. The application form, all supporting materials (including references), and £20 application fee must be received by the submission deadline.
For informal enquiries please contact verena.hinze@psych.ox.ac.uk
Submission deadline: 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 10 April 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
DPhil Studentship - Mental Health Complexity and Service Inequalities in Adolescent Chronic Pain in Oxford employer: University of Oxford
Contact Detail:
University of Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land DPhil Studentship - Mental Health Complexity and Service Inequalities in Adolescent Chronic Pain in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to mental health and chronic pain research. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in adolescent mental health and chronic pain. Show us you’re passionate about the subject and ready to contribute to our mission. Practice common interview questions and think about how your skills can help tackle healthcare inequalities.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When applying through our website, make sure your application reflects your understanding of the specific challenges faced by young people with chronic pain. Highlight any relevant experience or projects that align with our research focus.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the interview that resonated with you. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
We think you need these skills to ace DPhil Studentship - Mental Health Complexity and Service Inequalities in Adolescent Chronic Pain in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. Understand what they’re looking for in a candidate and tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences match their needs.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through! We want to see why you're excited about this DPhil opportunity. Share your motivation for researching mental health complexities and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This helps us quickly grasp your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via the University’s online graduate application form. It’s super important to follow the process outlined on our website to ensure your application is considered!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Oxford
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of chronic pain and its impact on mental health, especially in adolescents. Brush up on recent studies and statistics related to the field, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the topic.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous research experience, particularly any work involving large datasets or statistical analyses. Highlight your familiarity with software like R or STATA, and be ready to explain how you would apply these skills to the DPhil project.
✨Engage with the Team's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the group's mission and ongoing projects. Think about how your interests align with their goals, and come prepared with ideas on how you could contribute to their research on psychosocial differences and healthcare inequalities.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the methodologies they use, potential collaborations, or how they engage with stakeholders. It shows that you’re not just interested in the position, but also in the broader impact of the research.