Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

The University of Manchester

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  Using the pain feedback related negativity to investigate placebo analgesia

Prof W El-Deredy, Dr D Talmi  No more applications being accepted  Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

About the Project

The neuroscience of associative learning has shown that when an incoming stimulus deviates from the stimulus that was expected, the brain generates an error signal (prediction error), which is proportional to the magnitude of the deviation. The prediction error signal eventually leads to learning or extinction and supports optimal decision making.

Chronic pain patients routinely make predictions about the pain that they may experience. Such predictions drive their behavioural choices, sometimes in maladaptive ways, and are known to have a role in the development of mental health problems and physical disability. The aim of the project is to explore the relationship between pain predictions and the experience of pain.

This project will investigate the electrophysiological signature of prediction errors (an event-related component known as the feedback related negativity) in the context of pain and experimental placebo analgesia in order to understand the mechanisms of the placebo response.

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 psychology, pharmacological manipulations; randomised clinical trials and public engagement in science.

This PhD will provide an ideal platform to progress onto an academic career in medicine, clinical psychology, clinical trials or research support.

Applicants should hold a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, biology, medicine or neuroscience.
A Masters qualification in a related subject would be an advantage. As would experience in the methods of experimental psychology, having designed your own study; knowledge of neurobiology as well as programming experience.

Please direct applications in the following format to Professor Wael El-Deredy ([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 Professor Wael El-Deredy. 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/Wael.el-deredy/personaldetails

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Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Tackle real world challenges, make a difference, and discover your future with postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at Manchester. From biochemistry to neuroscience, cancer sciences to medicine, audiology to mental health and everything in between, we offer a wide range of postgraduate research projects, programmes and funding which will allow you to immerse yourself in an area of research you’re passionate about.

Why study at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health?

Research impact: With 93% of research activity at the University rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), you'll get the chance to have an impact on global health and science challenges.

Research community: Experience PhD life as part of a diverse postgraduate research community of more than 1,000 postgraduate researchers at the 22nd most international university in the world (Times Higher Education, 2026).

Manchester: Consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the UK, Manchester boasts world-class culture, iconic sports, a thriving music and food scene, and much more. It's not just a place to research, it's a place to call home.

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About the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

At Manchester, postgraduate researchers are at the heart of our mission to tackle pressing global challenges in biological, medical and healthcare sciences - and you could be too.

By choosing Manchester for your postgraduate research, you’ll be joining a university with an exceptional research reputation, where 93% of research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021) and where your work will have real-world impact.

You’ll research in world-class facilities alongside leading experts at the forefront of innovation, collaborating across disciplines to pioneer new treatments, advance scientific knowledge, and improve healthcare globally.

Supported by our dedicated Doctoral Academy and strong industry links, you'll experience PhD life in a vibrant, welcoming and diverse postgraduate research community.

And you’ll leave with the specialist knowledge, research experience and transferable skills that will shape your future in academia, research or industry.


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Our Faculty brings together researchers working across biological sciences, medicine and health sciences. Research spans areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, informatics, genomics, population health, infection, global health and healthcare innovation. You can apply for advertised PhD projects, explore funded opportunities, or, develop your own research proposal with a potential supervisor. Many of our researchers work across disciplines, schools and even Faculties, and collaborate with NHS organisations, industry partners and international institutions, creating opportunities to tackle real-world health challenges. Learn more about postgraduate research in the Faculty.

We offer a range of fully funded opportunities for UK and international applicants, including studentships, doctoral training programmes and University schemes. The Faculty participates in several major doctoral training programmes such as the BBSRC NWDP in Biosciences and supports initiatives designed to widen access to postgraduate research like the Excellence in Diversity PhD Scholarship. Funding is launched from October each year, but new opportunities can be added throughout the year, so we recommend checking regularly for new programmes and project-based studentships. Explore funding opportunities.

The vast majority of PhD opportunities in the Faculty are pre-defined projects; however, we do also accept self-proposed projects. To propose your own research you’ll need to start by defining your research idea and finding a supervisor whose expertise aligns with your idea. You’ll also need to consider funding. This will typically be a separate process to your project proposal. In most cases, having funding in place before you contact your supervisor and apply will strengthen your application and chances of success. Once you’ve considered funding and found a supervisor, you’ll be expected to write a 1,000 to 1,500 word research proposal which sets out your project and readiness for postgraduate research. Find out more about proposing your own project on our website.

The application process will depend on whether you are applying for an advertised project or proposing your own research. For advertised projects, you’ll need to find a project that matches an area you’re passionate about, check you’re eligible and contact the listed project supervisor to check you’re suitable. If you are proposing your own project, you should identify a prospective supervisor, create a research proposal and consider your funding before contacting the potential supervisor and applying. When applying you’ll need to include a supporting statement, CV, your certificates and transcripts and any official English language certificates. Learn more about applying for an advertised project.


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