Examining neurocognitive interventions and mechanisms in the treatment of alcohol use disorders

In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation of the role that subconscious “cognitive biases” play in addiction. This has led to the development of novel computerised interventions called cognitive bias modification” (CBM) that aim to alter these cognitive biases triggered by drug-related stimuli in the environment. Research suggests that one particular type of CBM is effective at treating alcohol use disorders, in certain treatment contexts, populations. Part of the mystery behind why and how CBM works in some contexts and not others, is that we don’t yet understand the neural, psychological, and behavioural mechanisms that underlie its efficacy.

This PhD scholarship is supported by two NHMRC funded studies and will fund a candidate to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a program of research examining how cognitive biases vary across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder severity and how they are influenced by factors such as time of day, mood, and physical/social context. The candidate will receive training in, and use a range of psychophysiological, cognitive, behavioural, and psychological measurement techniques in both clinical trials and experimental laboratory-based studies. This program of research aims to both deepen our knowledge of the cognitive psychology of addiction at the theoretical level, and to broaden its practical application through improved CBM interventions that can be effective in a wider range of contexts, patients, and delivery platforms (including smartphone-apps).

The project is supported by A/Prof Kristian Rotaru and the Monash Business Behavioural Laboratory (MBBL). MBBL offers a platform to conduct multimodal experiments utilising the latest technologies in eye tracking, skin conductance, electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), automated facial expression analysis, and virtual reality. The use of these technologies will provide the candidate with a unique opportunity to design and test novel interventions that will advance our understanding of cognitive biases and its modification.

This PhD program would suit applicants from a psychology, neuroscience or related mental health background.

Turning Point and Monash University

The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary cohort of researchers and students based at Turning Point, Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training and research centre, based in Melbourne, Australia. For more information about the important work that Turning Point does, please visit the website.

Turning Point is affiliated with Eastern Health Clinical School, within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) at Monash University, and undertakes close collaborative work with the Monash Addiction Research Centre (MARC).

Monash University is a member of Australia’s Group of Eight coalition, and is internationally recognized for excellence in research and teaching as one of the world’s top 80 universities. Embedded in an ecosystem of health, academia and industry, it delivers the research outcomes, skilled workforce, technology and partnerships to improve human health locally and globally.

Supervisory team

The principal supervisor will be Professor Victoria Manning.

Prof Manning is a Professor of Addiction Studies at Monash University, and the Head of Research and Workforce Development at Turning Point. She is a chartered psychologist (UK), and holds a PhD on neurocognition and co-occurring disorders. Over the past two decades, she has worked as a clinical researcher in addictions in the UK, Asia and Australia. Her research portfolio includes clinical trials, intervention studies, training and prevalence and treatment outcome studies.

The student will be co-supervised by Associate Professor Kristian Rotaru at Monash Business Behavioural Laboratory (MBBL).

Stipend

The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend at the current value of $35,013 per annum 2024 full-time rate, as per the Monash Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend, to undertake research in neurocognitive mechanisms, cognitive bias modification, treatment and clinical trials.

Entry requirements

Please note that this scholarship opportunity is open to Australian citizens only. Internationally based applications are not being considered at this time.

Candidates will need to fulfil the Monash University minimum requirements for admission to a PhD detailed here:

www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic transcript, and a brief outline of your research experiences and interest in the position to research-turningpoint@monash.edu. All applicants will be reviewed. You will only be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.