PhD Studentship: Investigating speech sound development and disorder in at-risk populations
Cardiff Metropolitan University Fully-Funded PhD Studentship - Investigating speech sound development and disorder in at-risk populations
All application submissions should be emailed to Sam Burr (sburr@cardiffmet.ac.uk). Please see application guidelines below, prior to submission.
Duration: 3 years (full time)
Stipend: Tax-free stipend at UKRI rates (2025/26 rate = £20,780 per annum)
Fees: Funding is available at the UK Home tuition fee rate; international applicants may apply but would need to self-fund the difference to the international fee.
Eligibility: Open to UK and international applicants
Project overview
The opportunity
We are pleased to invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship with Cardiff Metropolitan University investigating speech sound development and disorder in at-risk populations. This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary research team at the forefront of developmental science, combining expertise in speech and language development, neonatal health, and cognitive neuroscience. The position will be funded for a 3-year period subject to the satisfactory progress of the individual in the PhD. The successful candidate will be supervised by a highly experienced team of supervisors and clinical academic researchers who are leaders in the field of child speech development. The supervisory team is engaged in high-profile, government-funded child development research within Wales and across the UK. The PhD candidate will be supported to undertake a project with an identified pathway to clinical impact within five years of the PhD.
Project overview
Certain populations of children (children born preterm and children born with cleft palate) are at increased risk for delayed or atypical speech and language development. Early identification of speech sound difficulties is crucial for effective intervention, yet our understanding of how these difficulties emerge and evolve in the first years of life remains limited.
This PhD project will explore how preterm birth and cleft palate affects the development of speech sounds from infancy through early childhood. The research may involve longitudinal data collection, acoustic analysis of early vocalisations, parent-infant interaction studies, statistical analysis, and/or collaboration with neonatal units and early intervention services.
Supervision & facilities
You will work within a vibrant research environment with access to expert supervisors in developmental phonetics, speech sound disorders, statistics, and early intervention. Based within the Centre for Speech Hearing and Communication Research in the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences (CSSHS), you will have access to the Specialist Speech Clinic and be able to draw on dynamic collaborations across clinical and academic teams to deliver rigorous, multidisciplinary research. These collaborations will include support and expertise from the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit, with which the CSSHS is partnered.
Potential research questions:
- What are the early predictors of later speech and language difficulties in preterm infants and children born with cleft?
- How do biological, environmental, and social factors interact to influence speech sound development in these populations?
- What does speech sound development look like in preterm-born children and children born with cleft from bi- and multilingual families?
Candidate profile
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate with:
- A strong academic background (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in speech and language therapy, psychology, linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field.
- Evidence of a keen interest in child development, early communication, and/or clinical populations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent time management and project management skills.
- Experience of working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- The ability to work on own initiative and be flexible.
- Demonstrated research experience and data analysis (e.g., dissertation, prior projects, quantitative and/or qualitative methods).
Desirable skills include:
- Experience with speech data analysis, phonetics, developmental speech assessments, statistics or early-intervention methodologies
- Familiarity with longitudinal or mixed methods designs
- Clinical experience with preterm children, children born with cleft palate or child populations
To apply for this opportunity, please submit all the following documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered:
- A CV (including academic transcripts)
- Contact details for two academic referees
- A personal statement outlining your research interests and suitability for the project (max 1 page)
- An outline of your research proposal (max 2 pages including references)
The research proposal should align with the research theme and include a brief literature review related to the specific project area, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to complete to address the focus of the PhD programme.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and can be directed to Dr Sam Burr, sburr@cardiffmet.ac.uk. Applications should be submitted to sburr@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Equality, diversity & inclusion
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from candidates with diverse lived experience and under-represented groups. Accommodations for disability and support needs are available.
Closing date for applications: 31th March 2026
Interviews: April 2026
Anticipate start date: 1st September 2026