Using biomarkers and momentary assessment of stress to identify the impacts of cold housing and energy poverty on mental health outcomes

Overview

Dr Kimberley O'Sullivan (Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington) and Professor Tamlin Conner (Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin) are recruiting a PhD Candidate to be based in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, to study the mental health impacts of living in cold housing and energy poverty.

The project is part of Dr O'Sullivan's HOusing, energy, MEntal health and wellbeing (HOME) Programme, supported by her Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by Royal Society Te Apārangi.

The HOME programme is designed to enable close collaboration and partnership with Māori and other community and industry partners, and government agencies. Through these collaborations the programme will evaluate the mental health and wellbeing impacts of various interventions being implemented by our partners.

The project will involve study design, measurement of mental health and biomarkers, including the use of wearables, analysis of results, and communication of findings to relevant shareholders. Beyond the initial study there is the possibility of extending this work with further investigations.

Position description

The candidate should have an honours or masters degree in a relevant field (psychology, neuroscience, physiology).

The project is ideal for those with an interest and understanding of any of the following topics: mental health and wellbeing, public health and housing, and biomarkers of stress.

This project in based in Wellington, and is full-time with a 3-year PhD scholarship provided. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, please apply without delay.

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago