The development of gaze understanding (DOHERTY_UPSY25LEVERHULME)

Key Details

Application deadline: 22 January 2025 (midnight UK time)
Location: UEA
Funding type: Directly funded Project (Students Worldwide)
Start date: 1 October 2025
Mode of study: Full-time
Programme type: PhD

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Project description

Are you passionate about developmental psychology and eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in social cognition? We invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship supported by the Leverhulme Trust and supervised by Dr Martin Doherty and Professor Andrew Bayliss. The project will address a fundamental paradox in early childhood development: why do infants follow others’ gaze from an early age, yet struggle to accurately judge what others can see until they are three or four years old?

This PhD project offers the opportunity to work on pioneering research that aims to disentangle whether following gaze and reasoning about gaze are distinct cognitive abilities. You will explore the developmental trajectory of these abilities through innovative experiments with young children with additional potential for psychophysical work with adults.

We seek highly motivated candidates with a strong academic background in psychology, cognitive science, or a related discipline, and a keen interest in developmental research. Prior experience with experimental design, data analysis, or developmental populations is desirable but not essential. You will join a vibrant and supportive research team with access to excellent facilities and opportunities for professional development.

Key Features of the Project:

Opportunity to tackle a central question in social cognitive development
Involvement in cutting-edge developmental and psychophysical research as part of UEA’s world leading Developmental Science Research Group
Work with leading researchers in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment
Comprehensive training and support throughout your PhD

If you’re ready to take on a challenging and rewarding project that will advance our understanding of human cognitive development, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Entry requirements

2:1 in a Bachelor’s degree (Psychology or cognate subject) and Master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline.

Funding

This 3-year PhD studentship is funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The studentship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £20,142.

References

i) Doherty, M., & Bayliss, A. (2024). Gaze Understanding. Leverhulme Trust Newsletter, 6. https://www.flipsnack.com/leverhulmetrust/leverhulme-trust-newsletter-september-2024/full-view.html?p=6

ii) Doherty, M., McIntyre, A. H., & Langton, S. R. H. (2015). Developmentally distinct gaze processing systems: luminance versus geometric cues. Cognition, 137, 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2015.01.001

iii) Frischen, A., Bayliss, A. P., & Tipper, S. P. (2007). Gaze cueing of attention: Visual attention, social cognition, and individual differences. Psychological Bulletin, 133(4), 694 -724. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.133.4.694