Research interests of the research team offering the project

• Psychosis risk.
• Predictors of outcome in young people at high risk of psychosis.
• Treatments for young people at high risk of psychosis.
• Transdiagnostic risk research and preventive treatments.

Details of the project

An exciting PhD position is available in the Orygen-led Hybrid study.

Hybrid is an intervention trial with first episode psychosis patients. It combines virtual reality (VR), electroencephalogram-based (EEG-based) neurofeedback, and cognitive behaviour therapy in an innovative treatment package.

The aims are to investigate whether this treatment package:

1. Is safe, feasible and acceptable to young patients.
2. Engages specific neural and psychological treatment targets
3. Reduces the severity and distress associated with auditory verbal hallucinations (‘hearing voices’).

The PhD project will be embedded within this intervention trial and can focus on a single element, or a range of elements within the trial, depending on the student’s interest and expertise (VR, neurofeedback, psychological therapy for psychosis, EEG, proof-of-concept).

Project references

1. Orlov ND, Giampietro V, O'Daly O, Lam S, Barker GJ, Rubia K, McGuire P, Shergill SS, Allen P. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback to down-regulate superior temporal gyrus activity in patients with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations: a proof-of-concept study. Transl Psychiatry. 2018 Feb 12;8(1):46. Available from  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29430009/. doi: 10.1038/s41398-017-0067-5
2. Gandara V, Pineda JA, Shu IW, Singh F. A systematic review of the potential use of neurofeedback in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin Open. 2020;1(12020). Available from: https://academic.oup.com/schizbullopen/article/1/1/sgaa005/5771249?login=true.
3. Rault O, Lamothe H, Pelissolo A. Therapeutic use of virtual reality relaxation in schizophrenia: a pilot study. Psychiatry Res. 2022 Mar 309(114389). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35042064/

Scholarships and fees

A stipend is not available for this project.

To complete this project as a MPhil:

Scholarships are available through the University of Melbourne. More information here.

Other scholarship opportunities may also be available but are highly competitive. Please speak to the contact person below for more information.

Domestic Master of Philosophy students do not incur fees. Information on University of Melbourne fees for international students is available here.

To complete this project as a PhD:

Scholarships are available through the University of Melbourne – find out more here.

Other scholarship opportunities may also be available but are highly competitive, so please speak to the contact person below for further details.

Information on fees for domestic and international students is available here.

How to apply

To complete this project as a MPhil:

1. Read information for future students here, and check your eligibility here.
2. Read our frequently asked questions here.
3. Liaise with, and gain the support of, the supervisor/s. Please contact them using the details below and attach a copy of your CV and university transcript(s).
4. Once you’ve gained supervisor support, submit your application here.

To complete this project as a PhD:

1. Read information for future students here and check your eligibility here.
2. Read our frequently asked questions here.
3. Liaise with, and gain the support of, the supervisor/s. Please contact them using the details below and attach a copy of your CV and university transcript(s). 
4. Once you’ve gained supervisor support, follow the steps outlined by the University of Melbourne here. You can go straight to Step 3. 

You are strongly encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Contact

Professor Barnaby Nelson
[email protected]