The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship under the prestigious MRC London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC LID). The 2026\u201327 project, supervised by leading researchers in epidemiology and population health, offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on hypnotic drug use and the risk of dementia.<\/p>\n
This doctoral opportunity is ideal for academically strong candidates with backgrounds in epidemiology, medical statistics, health data science, or related fields. The programme offers world-class training, interdisciplinary supervision, and access to major UK health data resources.<\/p>\n
Do hypnotic drugs increase the risk of dementia?<\/strong><\/p>\n Hypnotic drugs, including benzodiazepines and z-drugs, have been linked to a higher risk of dementia in several studies. However, the underlying cause of this association remains unclear. It is unknown whether the increased risk is due to the drugs themselves, the sleep disturbances for which they are prescribed, or interactions with other medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.<\/p>\n This project aims to address these knowledge gaps using large, routinely collected electronic health record datasets from UK primary and secondary care. By examining prescribing patterns, drug interactions, and potential dose\u2013response relationships, the research seeks to inform safer prescribing practices and reduce dementia risk in populations with sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n The selected PhD student will gain advanced training in:<\/p>\n Students will be based onsite at LSHTM Bloomsbury, London. Occasional conference travel is supported.<\/p>\n Applicants must:<\/p>\n The project is open to eligible candidates applying through the MRC LID programme.<\/p>\n The student will work with:<\/p>\n LSHTM maintains annual access licenses and provides comprehensive support through its Electronic Health Records Group.<\/p>\n UK Biobank may be used if wider linkage to primary care and prescription records becomes available.<\/p>\n Causal inference tools such as propensity score matching and directed acyclic graphs will be applied.<\/p>\n Applicants are encouraged to review relevant articles and the supervisors\u2019 recorded briefing before making contact.<\/p>\n Applicants should visit the official MRC LID application page<\/a> to submit their materials:<\/p>\n MRC LID How to Apply<\/strong><\/a> For enquiries, contact the MRC LID administration team at email<\/a><\/strong>: http:\/\/mrclid@lshtm.ac.uk<\/p>\n The MRC London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership is a collaboration between:<\/p>\nSupervisory Team<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nDepartment of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, LSHTM
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\nDepartment of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, LSHTM
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\nDepartment of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, LSHTM
\nEmail<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nProject Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Key Research Themes<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Skills Students Will Acquire<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Study Routes and Structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Eligibility Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Data Sources and Research Infrastructure<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Project Objectives in Detail<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Further Resources and Pre-Application Materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Apply<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nMRC LID Project<\/strong><\/p>\nAbout the MRC LID Partnership<\/strong><\/h2>\n