Connectionists: PhD student position available in Mathematical Neuroscience

[Luc Berthouze]

PhD student position available in Mathematical Neuroscience

Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics, School of Informatics
University of Sussex, UK

Start date: October 2011


A fully funded PhD studentship is available at the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics, University of Sussex, as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University of Sussex and the UCL Institute of Neurology. The successful candidate will work with Dr Luc Berthouze (CCNR, University of Sussex & UCL Institute of Child Health) and Dr Simon Farmer (UCL Institute of Neurology). Our research aims to shed light on fundamental principles underlying early brain development. The focus of this studentship is on the recently proposed notion that the brain may be poised in a critical state. This notion is supported by a number of findings from neurophysiology showing that human MEG and EEG recordings exhibit a slow decay in their auto-covariance function, indicating that the brain networks carry a memory of past dynamics for hundreds of seconds. This project seeks to establish what are the processes underlying the emergence of such a regime, and to explore its functional benefits.

The studentship is formally attached to the University of Sussex but the successful candidate will also be expected to frequently travel to the UCL Institute of Neurology in London (Queen Square) to participate in lab meetings and other activities.

Applicants should have a strong background in mathematics (stochastic processes, network theory) and good programming skills. A keen interest in neuroscience is essential.

Enquiries and applications should be made to Luc Berthouze (L.Berthouze at sussex.ac.uk<mailto:L.Berthouze at sussex.ac.uk>). To apply, please send:
- An academic CV
- Official academic transcripts of marks, and certificates
- Contact details for two suitable referees
- A personal statement outlining your suitability for the project, why you want to do a PhD, your research experience to date relevant to the project, and why this particular project interests you.


Funding notes:
The studentship provides full support that includes tuition fees, all associated research costs, and an annual tax-free stipend at Research Council Rates (was £13,590 in 2010/11).
The successful candidate will be required to teach up to a maximum of 60 hours per year.

Residency eligibility:  In order to be eligible for a full award (fees and stipend) you must be a UK national or have 'settled' status in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years immediately prior to the start of your funding. If you are an EU national you are also eligible for a full award if you have been living in the UK for the three years immediately prior to the start of your funding. If you have been living elsewhere in the EU you would be eligible for an award covering the cost of fees only.


The deadline for applications is June 1st.




Dr Luc Berthouze, Senior Lecturer
Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR)
School of Informatics
University of Sussex
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
Tel: +44 1273 877206  Fax: +44 1273 877873



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