Available
Project number:
2025_04
Start date:
October 2025
Project themes:
Main supervisor:
Senior Lecturer
Co-supervisor:
Additional Information:
Sexual minority group membership: Classification and the prediction of common mental health problems.
Background:
People who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (or “sexual minority” people) are almost twice as likely as heterosexual people to suffer from common mental health disorders including depression, anxiety and suicide attempts. However, the study of sexuality differences in mental health problems is hampered by poor measurement of sexuality itself. This is because sexuality can be measured in several ways or people can misunderstand questions about it. This means we cannot decide who counts as a sexual minority and so our measurement of their health problems is imprecise. This will reduce the effectiveness of existing treatments (such as psychological treatment for depression and anxiety) as they will not be tailored to the appropriate group.
Novelty & Importance:
By improving the classification of sexual minority groups and mental health disorders this project will allow researchers to predict and stratify treatment response among sexual minority sub-groups to existing psychological interventions for common mental health problems. Doing this will help reduce sexuality-related inequities in mental health care provision which is a public health priority (https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/lgbt-health/).
Aims & Objectives:
To conduct an exhaustive analysis of existing sexual orientation and mental health outcome data in large-scale UK cohort samples deposited in the UK Data Service. The methods will involve data pooling where similar measures of the variables of interest are available. The candidate will then test the structure of sexual orientation; test competing statistical approaches; and whether group membership predicts depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. A LGBTQ+ PPIE Group will advise on research questions, framing, and dissemination.
We are now accepting applications for 1 October 2025
How to apply
Candidates should possess or be expected to achieve a 1st or upper 2nd class degree in a relevant subject including the biosciences, computer science, mathematics, statistics, data science, chemistry, physics, and be enthusiastic about combining their expertise with other disciplines in the field of healthcare.
Important information for International Students:
It is the responsibility of the student to apply for their Student Visa. Please note that the EPSRC DRIVE-Health studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study. Further detail can be found under the International Students tab below.
Next Steps
- Applications submitted by the closing date of Thursday 6 February 2025 will be considered by the CDT. We will contact shortlisted applicants with information about this part of the recruitment process.
- Candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews are projected to take place in April 2025.
- Project selection will be through a panel interview chaired by either Professor Richard Dobson and Professor Vasa Curcin (CDT Directors) followed by informal discussion with prospective supervisors.
- If you have any questions related to the specific project you are applying for, please contact the main supervisor of the project directly.
For any other questions about the recruitment process, please email us at
