PhD in Pharmacology

This PhD project builds on a newly funded NIHR research aiming at predicting response to methylphenidate (the most common medication for ADHD), based on pre-treatment clinical, cognitive, and physiological characteristics./nThe project aims at testing a new method to select medication for children and adults with ADHD./nYou will be responsible for the recruitment of children and adolescents from the existing waiting lists of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust./nYou will test participants twice in a week, once under a single dose of methylphenidate and once under a single dose of placebo, double blind. Tests will be conducted at the University of Southampton and include clinical scales, computer-based cognitive tests, and non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters (e.g. pulse). You will monitor blood pressure and pulse. Participants will then start standard treatment and you will repeat tests at two months. You will check in with participants and repeat some clinical scales at the remote 6-month follow-up./nYou will be provided training on how to administer the tests and in data analysis. When not testing, you will be recruiting and liaising with participants./nYou will also lead and contribute to publications related to this research.