Abstract

A Psychology PhD degree and mixed-methods research experience continues to be highly sought after in research-based start-up companies, as well as those in the process of scale up. Especially by such companies in “tech” related industries whose key aims are to provide digital, scalable, personalised interventions and products for a variety of health, wellbeing, and lifestyle challenges. In fact, the UK is considered to be a global leader in these particular areas (think Sleepio, Calm, and, Headspace). This talk will feature an approx. 15-minute presentation on some experiences of working for newer start-ups (Method X Labs, Vira Health, March Health), outlining why psychology PhDs are particularly sought after in this industry area, alongside UX design. Finally, some pointers (i.e. learning from my mistakes) when preparing for industry research jobs/contracts during and post-PhD. This will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session.

Biography

Toria is a PhD student based in the Warwick Sleep and Pain Laboratory, with Prof. Nicole Tang (Dept. of Psychology) and Prof. Harbinder Sandhu (WMS) as her primary and secondary supervisors. Her PhD research uses a multi-method approach to explore the impact of mental defeat on the experience of chronic pain. Principally, to further explain the wide response variation seen across chronic pain syndromes, as well as further understand key aspects of psychological distress and disability. This is being achieved through experimental pain studies, qualitative interviews, and questionnaire-based methods. She has undertaken contract work across different tech start-ups over the past two years and teaches part-time at another higher education institution. More generally, she has a background in clinical and health psychology with interests in mental health, pain, women's health, and complex digital interventions.

Please see below for publication links:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34666682/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-021-01548-3

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/3/e034764

If you would like to attend this event, then please submit the form at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/events/research_jobs_in_tech_start-up_companies and we will send you the Teams link in due course. Hope to see you all there!