[alife] PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Understanding and modelling emergent functionality in small biological neural systems

Peter Andras p.andras at keele.ac.uk
Fri Aug 29 05:31:57 PDT 2014


PhD Studentship in Computer Science

Understanding and modelling emergent functionality in small biological
neural systems

 

Reference Number:  EPSAM2014-1

 

Application Deadline: 15th September 2014

 

Supervisor: Professor Peter Andras, School of Computing and Mathematics,
Keele University

 

Project description:

The functionality of biological neural systems emerges through the
interaction of neurons. Recent technological advances allow the recording
and analysis of many neurons individually, making possible the understanding
and modelling the emergence of system level functionality in biological
neural circuits.

 

This project will use as model system the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of
brown crabs. The focus will be on the understanding how the roles of neurons
may change in response to neuromodulation in the context of changing
functional behaviour of the pyloric rhythm neural circuit within the STG. We
will use fast voltage-sensitive dye imaging to collect the data about the
activity of neurons and computational modelling of these neurons and the
impact of neuromodulators on them in order to model and explain the observed
activity of the STG. We aim to analyse the roles of apparently functionally
equivalent neurons (e.g. two PD neurons, five PY neurons) and model
computationally the changes in their functional roles in response to
neuromodulation.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to learn the relevant biological
experimental techniques, perform biological experiments, learn the relevant
computational modelling techniques, and build and analyse computational
models of neurons and neural circuits.

 

The stipend is £13,863 (2014/15) per year. The studentship is not available
for candidates from outside of the EU.

 

Person specification:

You should have either a First class honours degree in Computing Science,
Mathematics, Physics, Biology or other relevant science or engineering
subject, or a or 2.1 in Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or
other relevant science or engineering subject and a distinction level
Masters degree in a related subject. Equivalent experience will also be
considered.

 

Application procedure:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application
website (http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/howtoapply/) specifying the
reference number EPSAM2014-1 and selecting PhD in Computer Science, as the
programme of study.  Only mandatory fields need to be completed and a
personal statement, CV and (if English is not your first language) a copy of
your English language qualifications must be attached. The personal
statement must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference
number EPSAM2014-1 and describe how your research interests fit with the
topic of the research projected outlined in the advertisement (max. 2
pages). If you already have published research papers a list of these
providing bibliographic details should be included in the covering letter. 

You should also send your personal statement and CV by e-mail to Professor
Peter Andras, ( <mailto:p.andras at keele.ac.uk> p.andras at keele.ac.uk).

 

Further information:

For further details, please contact Professor Peter Andras (
<mailto:%20p.andras at keele.ac.uk>  p.andras at keele.ac.uk), 01782 733412 For
general enquiries contact: http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/howtoapply

 

 

 

---

Professor Peter Andras

Professor of Computer Science and Informatics

Head of Computing Division

School of Computing and Mathematics

Keele University

Keele, Staffordshire

ST5 5BG

UK

 

Tel. +44-1782-733412

Fax. +44-1782-734268

E-mail:  <mailto:p.andras at keele.ac.uk> p.andras at keele.ac.uk

Web:  <http://www.scm.keele.ac.uk/staff/p_andras/>
www.scm.keele.ac.uk/staff/p_andras/

 



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