Connectionists: PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience, Edinburgh

[James A. Bednar]

PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience,
Edinburgh

We invite applications for 12 fully-funded PhD studentships at the
University of Edinburgh Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in
Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience.  The DTC is a
world-class centre for research at the interface between neuroscience
and the engineering and physical sciences.

Our four-year programme is ideal for students with strong
computational and analytical skills who want to work on problems in
neuroscience and related fields.  The first year consists of courses
in neuroscience and informatics, as well as lab projects. This is
followed by a three-year PhD project done in collaboration with one of
the many departments and institutes affiliated with the DTC.

The DTC focuses on research into understanding the brain and the
nervous system using computational models and experiments, and also
includes applying findings from neuroscience to build better software
and hardware (robots and microcircuits), and using advanced methods to
improve data handling and analysis including clinical diagnosis. PhD
topics fall into five main areas:

* Computational neuroscience: Using analytical and computational
  models, potentially supplemented with experiments, to gain
  quantitative understanding of the nervous system.  Current projects
  focus on the development and function of sensory and motor systems,
  including neural coding, learning, and memory.

* Cognitive science: Studying human cognitive processes and analysing
  them in computational terms.

* Biomedical imaging algorithms and tools: Using advanced data
  analysis techniques, such as machine learning and Bayesian
  approaches, for imaging-based diagnosis and research.

* Software systems and applications: Using discoveries from
  neuroscience to develop intelligent computer interfaces and software
  that can handle real-life data.

* Neurorobotics and VLSI: Using insights from neuroscience to help
  build better hardware, such as neuromorphic VLSI circuits and robots
  that perform robustly under natural conditions.

Edinburgh has a world-class research community in these areas and
leads the UK in creating a coherent programme in neuroinformatics and
computational neuroscience. Edinburgh has been voted 'best place to
live in Britain', and has many exciting cultural and student
activities.

Students with a strong background in computer science, mathematics,
physics, or engineering are particularly welcome to apply. Motivated
students with other backgrounds will also be considered.

Up to 12 full studentships (£12,600-£14,000 pa) are available to UK
students and a small number of EU students. Non-EU/non-UK applicants
will need to provide their own funding and evidence thereof.

Further information and application forms can be obtained from:
http://www.anc.ed.ac.uk/dtc

The application deadline is 31 January 2008 for entry September 2008.