Connectionists: Funded Phd in Computational Neuroscience (Investigating oscillatory behaviour in Alzheimer’s disease to establish biomarkers: an EEG and computational programme of PhD study)

[Eirini Mavritsaki]

Please note the deadline of application is 10th of May 2017


Investigating oscillatory behaviour in Alzheimer’s disease to establish biomarkers: an EEG and computational programme of PhD study

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship within the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Business Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University. Applicants need to demonstrate ability and commitment, including excellent communications skills in written and spoken English.

Project Synopsis:
This proposed PhD work follows high profile research by the University of Birmingham team (Prof. Kim Shapiro, Prof. Howard Bowman and Mr Ali Mazaheri).  The project is collaborative work between Birmingham City University (Dr Eirini Mavritsaki) and University of Birmingham (Prof. Kim Shapiro and Prof. Howard Bowman). The University of Birmingham team has access to ERP data of a semantic anomaly and word repetition task (Olichney et al, 2002). In the original analysis of the data by Olichney and colleagues, the N400 component was analysed, which is related to semantic manipulation. Olichney and colleagues found evidence of N400 abnormalities in mild cognitive impairment patients, which predicted later progression to Alzhemier’s. The University of Birmingham team have identified oscillatory changes that also predict progression to Alzheimer’s, opening up the possibility that an effective EEG-based early-stage biomarker of Alzheimer’s might be within reach. We plan to simulate this data and the changes observed in it using a computational model that is based on the sSoTS (Mavritsaki, Heinke, Humphreys and Deco, 2011) model.

The successful applicant will join the Centre for Applied Psychological Research (CAPresearch) within the Department of Psychology at Birmingham City University.  CAPresearch is part of a vibrant and rapidly expanding research community, which offers applicants with an excellent opportunity to develop their research career. The applicant has the opportunity to have teaching experience, to participate in research seminars and to co-supervise undergraduate projects.

The successful candidate will also be expected to attend the weekly meetings of the University of Birmingham research team.

For more information please contact Dr Eirini Mavritsaki (Eirini.mavritsaki at bcu.ac.uk<mailto:Eirini.mavritsaki at bcu.ac.uk>) or Prof. Howard Bowman (H.Bowman at bham.ac.uk).
 For application please see below.

Candidate Qualification and Specifications:
Essential

Ø  The applicant should hold a good undergraduate honours degree (First or 2:1) in related area.

Ø  The applicant should have experience of computational models, evidenced by previous work or masters degree.

Ø  A demonstrated understanding of research methods is essential (as evidenced by degree transcript grades for research methods and dissertation modules).

Ø  Experience in C++ and Matlab.

Desirable

Ø  A Masters’ degree in research methods, psychology or computational modelling

Application Process (Deadline of application 10th of May)
You can find further details on studying for a PhD and details of how to apply on the following link http://www.bcu.ac.uk/social-sciences/courses/research-degrees
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions for the application and to express interest.




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Eirini Mavritsaki, PhD, CPsychol
Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology
Director of Research in the School of Social Sciences

Department of Psychology
Faculty of Business Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City University
The Curzon Building
4 Cardigan Street
Birmingham
B4 7BD
eirini.mavritsaki at bcu.ac.uk<mailto:eirini.mavritsaki at bcu.ac.uk>
0121 331 6361

Office Hours
Appointment only: Tuesdays 11:00-12:00
Drop-in: Fridays 09:00-10:00
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