Connectionists: Funded PhD position on Behaviour-Driven Optimisation of Neural Connectivity at the University of Plymouth, UK (deadline: 31st May).

[Alma Rahat]

Director of Studies: Dr Alma Rahat (
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/alma-rahat)

2nd Supervisor: Prof. Roman Borisyuk (
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/roman-borisyuk)

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship
will start on 1st October 2019.

Project Description.
-------------------------

The PhD student will join an interdisciplinary team of experts in
optimisation and computational neuroscience to answer an extremely
important question: how does the neural connectivity determine behaviours?
To answer this question, the student will design computational models of
neural networks, and use advanced machine learning and optimisation
techniques to find the correspondence between connectivity and
functionality.

Information processing in the brain, and ultimately observed behaviour, are
based on the communication between spiking neurons that are embedded in a
network of synaptic connections. In nature, different individual organisms
usually have different connectivity (represented by a graph of
interconnected nodes) that can produce the same behaviour. It is therefore
not obvious how to locate optimal neural connectivity to match a desirable
behaviour. In this exciting project, we aim to develop a novel approach
towards solving this optimisation problem.

The connectivity graph can be described in terms of connection
probabilities, which should be optimised to generate a target behaviour.
This is a very important problem, but the computational complexity renders
traditional optimisation algorithms impractical. Thus, we expect Bayesian
optimisation to be an efficient approach in this context. However, this
method must be adapted for graph-based problems. In this project, we will
explore various uncertainty quantification methods for graph connectivity
to enable the use of Bayesian optimisation. To demonstrate the performance
and test the efficacy of our methods, we will study the motor behaviours of
a simple animal for which neurobiological data and effective models are
available.

Eligibility.
------------

Applicants should have (at least) a first or upper second class honours
degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline. A
relevant MSc or MRes qualification is desirable.

A strong educational background and relevant skills are required: for
example, knowledge of  optimisation, graph theory and multi-variate
calculus, and experience of software development using C++, Python or
MATLAB. It would be beneficial for the student to have experience with
machine learning or statistics, and knowledge of computational
neuroscience.

Funding.
-----------

The studentship is supported for three years and includes full home/EU
tuition fees plus a stipend of £15,009 per annum.

Applicants normally required to cover overseas fees will have to cover the
difference between the home/EU and the overseas tuition fee rates
(approximately £12,285 per annum).

How to apply?
------------------

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr
Alma Rahat. However, applications must be made in accordance with the
details shown in the webpage below.

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/applicants-and-enquirers

You can apply via the ‘Apply’ button above.

Please mark it FAO Carole Watson and clearly state that you are applying
for a PhD studentship within the School of Computing, Electronics and
Mathematics. For more information on the admissions process contact Carole
Watson (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/carole-watson).

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 31 May 2019. Shortlisted
candidates will be invited for interview mid June. We regret that we may
not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not
received an offer of a place by 30 June 2019 should consider their
application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

See the following webpage for more information regarding this studentship.
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/postgraduate-research-studentships/phd-opportunity-behaviour-driven-optimisation-of-neural-connectivity

Come join us in solving this exciting problem!

Best,
Alma.
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