Minimally Invasive Multiplexed Temporal Interference Brain Stimulation

PhD Studentship in Neuroscience

Imperial College London

Hammersmith Campus, London, UK

Research group

The goal of the Barnes Lab is to understand what causes impaired synaptic homeostasis in ageing and Alzheimer's and use this information to develop approaches that can improve synaptic health and cognition. To date, the team have found common molecules involved in synaptic homeostasis are dysregulated in both ageing and Alzheimer's, and have developed drugs and brain-stimulation approaches that can boost synaptic homeostasis and improve memory. https://www.ukdri.ac.uk/labs/barnes-lab

Project Description

In recent years it has become increasingly clear that neuromodulation through non-invasive brain stimulation has the potential to positively intervene in a range of neurological disorders. However, to be maximally impactful existing technology must be refined to better improve its spatial and cellular selectively and drive lasting plastic reorganisation or trigger self-repair. The Barnes lab is based at the UK Dementia Research Institute in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and is recruiting PhD students for a 3.5-year PhD position to investigate the potential of a new form of multiplexed temporal-interference brain stimulation. The project is funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) and will examine whether multiplexed temporal-interference brain stimulation can selectively activate and modulate specific neuronal populations. The project will involve in-vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, coding and brain-stimulation. Full training in all technical aspects of the project will be provided. As such, the successful candidate will not be required to have prior technical experience but instead should have a strong background in neuroscience and an interest in micro-circuit plasticity. For all enquiries, please contact samuel.barnes@imperial.ac.uk  

The project is based at Imperial’s Hammersmith Hospital Campus. The candidate will be under the supervision of Dr Samuel Barnes, UK DRI Group Leader and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences and will benefit an active and engaged postgraduate community at Imperial and within the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Imperial.

Studentship details and application process

The studentship provides a tax-free annual bursary (Wellcome Rate) and tuition fees at the UK/Home rate (currently £7030/year). Applicants should hold (or attain by October 2025) a First Class or an Upper Second-Class degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in neuroscience or a related subject. Imperial would normally expect successful applicants to hold or achieve a Master’s degree in a related field. You will benefit from membership of the Graduate School and an active early career research community.

To apply, submit your CV with motivation statement to Dr Samuel Barnes email: samuel.barnes@imperial.ac.uk. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with a final closing date of the 30.04.2025.