Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB)
PhD Studentships 2024

Applications are invited for 3.5-year full time fully-funded PhD studentships, in subjects spanning basic and translational brain sciences in the biological mechanisms underlying autism. SIDB is a philanthropic Centre funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. It is based at the University of Edinburgh.

2024 Entry Projects Available:

1. Investigating the role of PAX6 in neural connectivity during human forebrain development using organoids (1st supervisor: Sam Booker)
2. Development of gene circuits therapies for the treatment of gene dosage sensitive neurodevelopmental disorders (1st supervisor: Stuart Cobb)
3. Dissecting the molecular functions and regulation of local SHANK3 protein synthesis (1st supervisor: Paul Donlin-Asp)
4. Network mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits but motor resilience in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. (1st supervisor: Ian Duguid)
5. Neuronal Activity During Epileptic Activity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (1st supervisor: Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser)
6. Synaptome complexity in autism (1st supervisor: Seth Grant)
7. Defining the Molecular and Developmental Basis of Bohring-Opitz Syndrome. (1st supervisor: Rob Illingworth; 2nd supervisor: John Mason)
8. Investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction in rat models of autism (1st supervisor: Marino Pagan)
9. Visual discrimination deficits in a mouse model of SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency (1st supervisor: Nathalie Rochefort)
10. Exploring Primary Cilia Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders (1st supervisor: Thomas Theil)
11. Tactile and pain sensitivity in a CRISPR/Cas9 Grin2b rat model of autism (1st supervisor: Carole Torsney)
12. Investigating the origins and consequences of deficient neural coding of self-motion in a rat model of Fragile X Syndrome. (1st supervisor – Emma Wood, 2nd supervisor TBC).

Eligibility and funding

This is a SIDB-funded award. It will provide an annual stipend for 3.5 years of £21,080 per annum, plus tuition fees (including international).

Applicants should also meet the academic and English language entry requirements for admission to postgraduate programmes at the University of Edinburgh.

Application and Deadline

• Full project details are found on the SIDB website
• Applicants should submit 1 application form, specifying up to three of the PhD projects listed.
• Please note: When you apply, you are applying to join the SIDB cohort to complete a SIDB-funded PhD. You are not applying to each project individually, but identifying your top 3 favourite projects offered by SIDB. Therefore, on the application form, please indicate why you are interested to join SIDB, though you are welcome, in addition, to mention why you have selected specific projects.
• Please download the Application Form from the SIDB website and, when completed, email it to sidbadm@ed.ac.uk
• Please ensure your two references are also submitted by the deadline.
• Deadline: 5 pm, 21st January 2024
• Interviews will be held in February 2024

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to make contact with the named supervisor(s) for their chosen project(s) to discuss the project in more detail. The studentships will begin in September 2024.

If you have an enquiry about the programme, please email SIDB Centre Administrator: Jane Wright at jane.wright@ed.ac.uk.