Connectionists: PhD in Computational Neuroscience at Cambridge University

[Máté Lengyel]

Computational Neuroscience @ Cambridge University
4 year PhD Programme

The Computational Neuroscience Group at the Department of Engineering (cns.eng.cam.ac.uk) has openings for PhD students. Affiliated faculty (Guillaume Hennequin, Máté Lengyel, Timothy O’Leary, and Daniel Wolpert) use mathematical, engineering, and computational approaches to understand dynamical phenomena at the cellular and circuit level, as well as learning and memory in perceptual, cognitive, and motor systems. PhD students in the group have the opportunity to pursue computational studies at the neuronal or behavioural level, or experimental studies of human behaviour using state-of-the-art robotic and virtual reality interfaces, or combine computational and experimental approaches. Potential projects also include experimental work using cutting-edge systems neuroscience methods in collaborating laboratories. Students will also enjoy a close interaction with world-leading groups in machine learning and control theory in Engineering, and with a wide network of collaborators in neurobiology and cognitive science both within and outside Cambridge.

We provide intense training and a broad exposure to topics and methods of computational neuroscience, so prior background in neuroscience is not essential, but a strong motivation to understand the brain is important. Students participate in lab rotations during their first year before finalising a project and choosing supervisor(s). Students will be embedded in the Computational and Biological Learning Lab (cbl.eng.cam.ac.uk), which is a lively and dynamic group of around 60 people, and encourages interaction between all members of the lab, including students, postdocs, and faculty. The entire group meets at least three times a week, on top of various other regular activities, such as reading and journal clubs.

Applicants should have
* strong problem solving and mathematical skills,
* a keen interest in neuroscience,
* a relevant first degree, such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Psychology or Statistics.

For more information on the Computational Neuroscience Group, see: cns.eng.cam.ac.uk

Informal enquiries should be made prior to application to the relevant member of faculty based on research interests: Guillaume Hennequin <g.hennequin at eng.cam.ac.uk>, Timothy O'Leary <timothy.oleary at eng.cam.ac.uk>, Máté Lengyel <m.lengyel at eng.cam.ac.uk>, or  Daniel Wolpert <wolpert at eng.cam.ac.uk>.

For 2017 entry, four fully funded studentships for UK students are available within the programme, but applications are also encouraged from the EU and overseas where competitive funding may be available from Cambridge. To be considered for the programme, please apply to “Engineering PhD”, refer to the Computational Neuroscience Group in your “research summary”, and name the course director (Máté Lengyel) as the “research supervisor” on your application.

Applications should be received no later than 7 December 2016.

For further details of how to apply see: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/how-do-i-apply

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interview in January 2017.
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Mate Lengyel, PhD
Computational and Biological Learning Lab
Cambridge University Engineering Department
Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
tel: +44 (0)1223 748 532, fax:  +44 (0)1223 765 587
email: m.lengyel at eng.cam.ac.uk
web: www.eng.cam.ac.uk/~m.lengyel