[alife] PhD Studentship in Computational Neuroscience

[Peter Andras]

The Capstaff Studentship for PhD Research Projects Based at Newcastle University and the University of California, San Diego

PhD Project: Computational modelling and analysis of dynamical properties of neural networks
DEADLINE: 31st March 2009

Newcastle University seeks applications from enthusiastic and well qualified graduates for the Capstaff PhD studentship which features a one-year study visit to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). (The one-year visit may be composed of several shorter visits.)

This project involves computational modelling and analysis of dynamical properties of small neural networks and will incorporate high-resolution voltage-sensitive dye imaging of crab stomatogastric ganglions. Newcastle University currently has the only laboratory in the world in which such studies are undertaken. 

The project will also encompass computational modelling of neurons and the effects of neuromodulators on these neurons, comparison of model behaviour with the recorded data, and analysis of model parameters in the context of the data to understand the regulatory effects on dynamical properties of small neural networks. 

The project is based in the School of Computing Science and focuses on the interface between computer science and neuroscience. 

The PhD project will be funded at UK EPSRC rates. Stipends for study visits to UCSD will cover living expenses (equal to the average support level of the UCSD department in which the student is conducting research). The maximum value of the stipend will be approximately $28,000.

The Capstaff Studentship is open to all UK citizens.

Newcastle supervisor: Dr Peter Andras, Reader in Complex Systems http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/people/peter.andras
UCSD team: Dr Mikhail Rabinovich (http://inls.ucsd.edu/~rabin/), Prof Alan Selverston (emeritus professor), and Dr Ramon Huerta (http://inls.ucsd.edu/~huerta/), all from the Institute for Nonlinear Science, UCSD (http://inls.ucsd.edu/).

Application is via Newcastle University's postgraduate admissions portal (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). Please give the reference code SG001, the title of the project when you apply, and record the school (Computing Science) and name of the Newcastle supervisor (Dr Peter Andras) in your application. When you have applied, please email Ms Alison Pattison (Alison.Pattison at ncl.ac.uk) and Dr Peter Andras (Peter.Andras at ncl.ac.uk) confirming your interest in the Capstaff Studentship. The closing date for applications is 31st March 2009.

For further information and discussion about the details of the PhD project please email Dr Peter Andras (Peter.Andras at ncl.ac.uk).