PhD Studentship, Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health

Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health

Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London

To start: October 2014

 

Award

We are offering one PhD studentship to applicants with a background in Computer Science, particularly Artificial Intelligence or Agent-based Systems. The award is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through the Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health (BRC-MH) and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia (BRU-D) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London (KCL).

The BRC-MH and BRU-D are pioneering multidisciplinary translational research and experimental medicine in the areas of mental health and neuroscience. They bring together researchers, clinicians and allied health professionals from two internationally recognised organisations. SLaM is the UK’s largest NHS mental health service provider with a long history of involvement in translational research. 

Project

The project aims at evaluating the use of multi-agent computer systems in guiding the clinical decision making process for improved patient care. The project involves designing and implementing a fully workable multi-agent environment responsible for complementing the decision making process. The proposed system will actively monitor entries made to the patient electronic health records through the Electronic Patient Journey System (EPJS) in the aim of anticipating and minimising the occurrence of adverse events, providing evidence-based clinical advice, enforcing adherence to clinical guidelines and capturing and reporting data entry mistakes and clinical errors. The outcome of the project is an active monitoring and guiding system to be incorporated into EPJS, which results less inconsistencies and enforces prompt response to critical events.

Entry requirements

You should have (or be expected to obtain) a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in Informatics. If you already possess (or expect to obtain) a research-based MSc degree, a merit or distinction level is expected.

Award type and eligibility

The award covers academic fees (Home/EU rate); a tax-free stipend (£16,000 per year) and contributions towards research costs, training and conference attendance for three years. Overseas students and others not meeting UK Home Office residency criteria may apply but would be required to cover the balance of fees over the Home/EU rate.   English language competence criteria apply. 

How to apply

To apply, you must register and complete the application form online using the King's College London Applicationsystem.  Please first of all select “Research Programmes” (the category in which you will find our traditional PhD programme) and then “Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre MPhil/PhD (Full-time)” from the drop down list.  In your application, please ensure you enter the reference:  NIHRBRC14 in part 5 of the Funding section. 

Additional documentation can be uploaded after you have submitted your application, but please ensure all supporting documentation, including your references, are uploaded before the interview dates (see below).

We are unable to accept any applications sent directly to the Institute.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Thursday 19th June 2014 (23.59 GMT)

Interviews:  9th & 10th July 2014

Background Information

TheInstitute of Psychiatry (IoP), King’s College London has the highest research power of any UK Institution in the area of neuroscience, clinical psychology and psychiatry (2008 Research Assessment Excercise). We are the largest academic community in Europe dedicated to the study, treatment and prevention of mental health problems and neurodegenerative disease. The IoP offers opportunities for research and training in basic and clinical science across the mental health spectrum on one campus. Studying at the IoP you will have access to a large clinical population through King’s Health Partners, an Academic Health Science Centre that includes Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts