Generation ‘K’: Exploring risk factors amongst young people with ketamine use disorder PhD Psychology Ref: 5857

Supervisors

Professor Celia Morgan  ,Department of  Psychology, University of Exeter.

Professor Tom Freeman ,Department of  Psychology, University of Bath. 

Professor Graeme Fairchild, Department of  Psychology , University of Bath.

 The University of Exeter’s Department of Psychology is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully funded by NIHR to commence on 21 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.  The PhD will look at “Generation K” young people with ketamine use disorder (16-24) using mixed methods and working closely with stakeholder drug services to explore trajectories into, and out of, this fastest growing of addictions.

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of £21,482 for 3 years full-time.  The student would be based in Washington Singer Building in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

This is a 3-year PhD studentship funded by the NIHR Bath Mental Health Research Group (Grant Number NIHR 207583).

 This PhD project would focus on "Generation K” are said to be young people who also use ketamine to navigate multiple forms of precarity, including unsettled futures following the extended effects of Covid-19 and cost-of-living crises. Ketamine sits at an unusual crossroads being used as both a treatment for substance use disorder and a cause. 

This PhD project will look at the cross-over between ketamine use and neurodevelopmental/externalising disorders as well as substance use needs, using mixed methods and exploring how ketamine is conceptualised amongst young users and how this and other developmental factors affect trajectories to risky use.

The Generation K PhD project will focus on the most at risk group for ketamine use disorder 16-24 year olds, but expanding to younger users to examine the trajectories into problematic ketamine use. It will use mixed methods to explore understandings of ketamine amongst young users and how medical narratives are integrated with perceptions of therapeutic benefit. 

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,482 for 3 years full-time.  The student would be based in Washington Singer Building in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

This is a 3-year PhD studentship funded by the NIHR Bath Mental Health Research Group (Grant Number NIHR 207583).

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply. However, please note the following:

• The award covers only part of the international tuition fee, approximately £26,000.
• It does not include a stipend for living expenses.
• International applicants will need to cover additional costs, including:
• Student visa fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Relocation expenses associated with moving to the UK to undertake a PhD.

Applicants should ensure they have sufficient funds to meet these costs before applying.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.  

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Psychology or a related discipline

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents

•             CV

•             Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•             Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•             Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

•             If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 18^th May 2026.  

Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 1^st June.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5857 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary