Connectionists: Gatsby Unit PhD programme

[Peter Dayan]

Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit
Training in theoretical and computational neuroscience and machine
learning.

Deadline: 15th November 2016.

The Gatsby Unit is a centre for theoretical neuroscience and machine
learning, focusing on unsupervised, semi-supervised and reinforcement
learning, neural dynamics, population coding, Bayesian analysis, kernel
methods, and deep learning; together with applications of these to the
analysis of perceptual processing, neural data, signal processing,
machine vision and bioinformatics. It provides a unique opportunity for
a critical mass of theoreticians to interact closely with each other,
with the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour
(SWC, with which the Unit shares a new, purpose-designed building), with
the cross-faculty Centre for Computational Statistics and Machine
Learning (CSML), and with other world-class research groups in related
departments at UCL, including: Computer Science; Functional
Imaging;Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology; Psychology;
Neurology; Ophthalmology; The Ear Institute; Statistical Science; and
the nearby Alan Turing Institute.  

Students at the Gatsby Unit study toward a PhD in either machine
learning or theoretical neuroscience, with minor emphasis in the
complementary field. Courses in the first year, taught in conjunction
with colleagues from the SWC and CSML, provide a comprehensive
introduction to theoretical and systems neuroscience and to machine
learning; with further multidisciplinary training in other areas of
neuroscience also available. Students are encouraged to work and
interact closely with peers and faculty in the SWC and CSML throughout
their PhD, providing a uniquely multidisciplinary research environment.
Projects involving collaboration within or outwith UCL are welcome.

The Unit has openings for exceptional PhD candidates. Applicants
should have a strong analytical background, a keen interest in
neuroscience and/or machine learning and a relevant first degree, for
example in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience,
Physics, Psychology or Statistics.

The PhD programme lasts four years, including the first year of
intensive instruction in techniques and research in theoretical and
systems neuroscience and machine learning.

All students are fully funded, regardless of nationality. The Unit
also welcomes applications from students with pre-secured funding or
who are currently soliciting other scholarship/studentships.

Applications (including a CV, statement of research interests, and
letters from three referees) for 2017/18 admission must be sent directly
to the Gatsby Unit admissions at gatsby.ucl.ac.uk.  Applications must be
completed by 15th November 2016. We will review applications as soon as
they are complete (including a CV, statement of research interests and
letters from three referees) until the positions are filled. Early
application is thus advised.

Full details of our programme, and how to apply, are available at:
http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/phd

For further details of research interests please see
http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/research.html
and the individual faculty webpages at
http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/members.html

If you require a visa to attend an interview, if selected, then please
contact us directly as soon as your application is complete and your
referees have submitted their recommendations.