Connectionists: UK PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience

[James A. Bednar]

PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience, 
Edinburgh

    ADDITIONAL STUDENTSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE; APPLY BY 15 AUGUST!

2010-2011 applications for fully-funded PhD studentships at the
University of Edinburgh Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in
Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience are now being
considered.  The DTC is a world-class centre for research at the
interface between neuroscience and the engineering, computational, and
physical sciences.  A small number of places remain open for
exceptional candidates to start in September 2010.

Our four-year programme is ideal for students with strong
computational and analytical skills who want to employ cutting-edge
methodology to advance research 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 (e.g. 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.

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

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

* 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.

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

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 often 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. Highly
motivated students with other backgrounds will also be considered.

Up to 12 full studentships (including stipend of 13,320-16,400 UK
pounds/year) are available to UK citizens or permanent residents for
entry in 2010.  EU students can be funded for tuition and fees, but
will need to provide evidence of external funding for living costs.
Other overseas students can be accepted only with full external
funding.

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

For consideration for entry in September 2010, the final deadline for
complete applications is August 15th.

-- 
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.