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Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunitiesDopaminergic and serotonergic influences on instrumental action selection and Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT)
Dr D Talmi, Prof B Deakin
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Most drugs used in the treatment of common mental illnesses - for example, schizophrenia, depression and addiction - modify the effects of two chemical messengers in the brain, dopamine and serotonin. Much evidence suggests that dopamine neurones motivate approach towards rewarding (positive) stimuli.
Much less is known about the function of serotonin. We wish to test ideas from animal studies that unpleasant events and stress activate serotonin neurones, and that this activation influences subsequent behaviours that helps the organism avoid future stressors through punishment induced inhibition. For example, serotonin may motivate avoidance of dangerous areas and of risky behaviours by increasing anxiety or by directly inhibiting behaviour. Antidepressant may work by tuning up and down the effects of serotonin. The balance between serotonin and dopamine may also be important.
Understanding the neurobiological substrate of core processes such as instrumental action and PIT and how they are altered under mental illness will help develop pharmacological and cognitive therapies for these conditions.
This 4-year full-time studentship provides full support for tuition fees, minimum annual tax-free stipend of 13, 590 and a conference/travel allowance. The project is due to commence October 2013 and is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding.
The successful candidate will benefit from extensive training in experimental psychology combined with acute dietary and drug manipulations to modify neurotransmitter function in brain. Use of cognitive tests and functional MRI. Treatment randomization and blinding procedures. Oral and written communication and public engagement in science.
This PhD will provide an ideal platform to progress into a career in cognitive neuroscience or psychiatry. The paradigms developed could be of considerable interest to industry or clinical research (trials) organisations in detecting the effects of novel therapies. A successful PhD could facilitate a research-oriented career in Clinical Psychology.
Applicants should hold a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) Psychology, biology, medicine, neuroscience. A Masters qualification in a related subject would be an advantage. It would also be beneficial to have experience in the methods of experimental psychology, having designed own study; knowledge of neurobiology; programming experience.
Please direct applications in the following format to Deborah Talmi [Email Address Removed].
• Academic CV
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.
Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to [Email Address Removed]. Applications are invited up to and including Monday 7 January 2013.
The Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences is offering the opportunity of over 50 fully-funded PhD projects to outstanding candidates seeking research training from October 2013. Details can be found on our website:
http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/studentships/
http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/deborah.talmi/
OurRef:TalmiDTG
Much less is known about the function of serotonin. We wish to test ideas from animal studies that unpleasant events and stress activate serotonin neurones, and that this activation influences subsequent behaviours that helps the organism avoid future stressors through punishment induced inhibition. For example, serotonin may motivate avoidance of dangerous areas and of risky behaviours by increasing anxiety or by directly inhibiting behaviour. Antidepressant may work by tuning up and down the effects of serotonin. The balance between serotonin and dopamine may also be important.
Understanding the neurobiological substrate of core processes such as instrumental action and PIT and how they are altered under mental illness will help develop pharmacological and cognitive therapies for these conditions.
This 4-year full-time studentship provides full support for tuition fees, minimum annual tax-free stipend of 13, 590 and a conference/travel allowance. The project is due to commence October 2013 and is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding.
The successful candidate will benefit from extensive training in experimental psychology combined with acute dietary and drug manipulations to modify neurotransmitter function in brain. Use of cognitive tests and functional MRI. Treatment randomization and blinding procedures. Oral and written communication and public engagement in science.
This PhD will provide an ideal platform to progress into a career in cognitive neuroscience or psychiatry. The paradigms developed could be of considerable interest to industry or clinical research (trials) organisations in detecting the effects of novel therapies. A successful PhD could facilitate a research-oriented career in Clinical Psychology.
Applicants should hold a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) Psychology, biology, medicine, neuroscience. A Masters qualification in a related subject would be an advantage. It would also be beneficial to have experience in the methods of experimental psychology, having designed own study; knowledge of neurobiology; programming experience.
Please direct applications in the following format to Deborah Talmi [Email Address Removed].
• Academic CV
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.
Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to [Email Address Removed]. Applications are invited up to and including Monday 7 January 2013.
The Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences is offering the opportunity of over 50 fully-funded PhD projects to outstanding candidates seeking research training from October 2013. Details can be found on our website:
http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/studentships/
http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/deborah.talmi/
OurRef:TalmiDTG
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