ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2026. 

The PhD will be based in the School of Psychology, Sports, and Health Sciences and supervised by Dr Lawrence Patihis, Dr Jonathan Koppel and Dr Edward Morrison.

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26).Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

Please note, these funded PhDs are only open to new students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

This PhD project explores the malleability of emotional memory through the lens of cognitive appraisal theory of emotions primarily, and evolutionary psychology secondarily. Building on pioneering work by Linda Levine and Martin Safer, and more recently Lawrence Patihis (first supervisor on the current project proposal), the research investigates how reappraising past relationships—such as with parents or romantic partners—can alter both current emotions and memories of those emotions.

The project will involve a series of experimental studies to test methodologies that influence appraisals and emotional memory. It will likely also examine correlates such as divorce, reputational information, and time since relationship events. A theoretical synthesis will be developed to explain why emotional memories are malleable, potentially leading to a new explanatory framework using a combination of cognitive appraisal theory of emotion and evolutionary theory.

This research aligns with the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú’s strengths in memory distortion and forensic psychology and offers opportunities for publication and future funding applications.

Entry requirements

How to apply

If you have any project-specific questions please contact Dr Lawrence Patihis (lawrence.patihis@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before applying, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please use our . Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSH50690126 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.