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Biological Sciences (4) Medicine (26)
The Sussex Neuroscience 4-Year PhD Programme

Sussex Neuroscience

The Sussex Neuroscience 4-year PhD Programme is now inviting applications for September 2025 entry.

Sussex Neuroscience is a thriving community of over 60 neuroscience research groups based on a single campus. Research strengths cover all major areas and technical approaches in contemporary neuroscience. Some of our largest interdisciplinary themes are:

  • Sensory neuroscience
  • Neural circuits of behaviour
  • Learning and memory
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Computational neuroscience and AI
  • Translational and clinical neuroscience

The Programme

The Programme capitalises on the opportunities our research community has to offer, enabling you to broaden your experience and training to become fully integrated into the research network before choosing your PhD project.

Year 1

  • You complete three laboratory rotations, with the chance to explore the approaches and techniques employed by different neuroscience disciplines
  • You receive further training and knowledge through a selection of taught courses chosen to fit your background and interests

Years 2-4

  • By the end of the first year, you will be in an excellent position to make an informed choice of PhD project, which you will complete over the remaining three years. There are over 40 research faculty offering projects. Our students can also take part in further training and events both internally and externally, apply to gain paid teaching experience, and volunteer at public engagement events.

Environment

Our campus is home to both the University of Sussex and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and is set in beautiful countryside at the edge of the South Downs National Park, 10 minutes away from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton. Our community is committed to student support and opportunity, and researchers at all stages enjoy a truly integrated, interdisciplinary environment across the different neuroscience groups on campus.

The Sussex Neuroscience 4-Year PhD Programme

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with protected characteristics – e.g. from Black and other ethnic minorities – who are under-represented in postgraduate research at our institution. Our PhD selection process is mindful of the diversity of backgrounds that strong candidates can have: we consider candidates based on all-round merit, and run a transparent interview process. We also offer support to any students with carer responsibilities to enable them to pursue their PhD research on an equal footing with others.

How to apply

You should hold (or be predicted) a 1st class or upper 2nd class BSc degree (or overseas equivalent) in a biological, physical or psychological science discipline. In addition to academic merit, we are looking for candidates whose scientific interests are an excellent two-way fit with the research strengths of our community.

To apply, please visit our website for full application instructions and further details about the Programme and supervisors.

Our scholarships provide students with a stipend equivalent to the UK research council rate, cover UK and International tuition fees, and provide a research costs allowance.

Apply now

Closing date for applications: Monday 13th January 2025.

Interviews will be held for shortlisted candidates in late February 2025.

The Sussex Neuroscience 4-Year PhD Programme