MRC-Funded Ph.D. Studentship In Neuroscience (Magill Group): Defining the cellular mechanisms of neuronal circuit function and animal behaviour

Applications are invited from UK or EU residents to join a multidisciplinary team of scientists studying the principles of operation of the basal ganglia and their partner brain circuits in both health and disease. The studentship is available from the start of academic year 2018/19 for 3 years and will be supervised by Professor Peter J. Magill at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford (MRC BNDU). The overall aim of the studentship project is to define the cellular mechanisms of neuronal circuit function and animal behaviour, and will involve the use of electrophysiological, anatomical, optogenetic, behavioural and/or advanced computational/statistical techniques. For further details about the project, contact Professor Peter Magill ([Email Address Removed]) or see http://www.mrcbndu.ox.ac.uk/groups/magill-group.

Interested candidates should possess, or expect to receive, a 1st class or upper 2nd class degree (or equivalent) in a related scientific discipline, e.g. biological or physical sciences, medicine, computer science, mathematics. Previous experience in neuroscience research is essential. To apply, please send a full curriculum vitae, names and full contact details of two referees, and a covering letter indicating why you are interested in and suited to this project to Mrs Savita Anderson ([Email Address Removed]) by 12.00 noon on Friday 12th January 2018.

The MRC BNDU operates over two sites at the University of Oxford (Department of Pharmacology and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences). It is uniquely multidisciplinary, integrating exceptional research programmes that span clinical, experimental and computational neuroscience. The collective aim of the MRC BNDU is to understand the moment-to-moment interactions between nerve cells that are critical for brain functions, and to exploit these to develop novel therapies for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. For more information, see http://www.mrcbndu.ox.ac.uk/

This Ph.D. (D.Phil.) studentship is funded by the Medical Research Council. To be eligible for a full award (stipend in addition to university/college fees) a student must have settled status in the UK, and must have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for three years prior to the start of the studentship. For further details about student eligibility requirements for full and fees-only awards, please see: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/skills-careers/studentships/studentship-guidance/student-eligibility-requirements/

Successful candidates also require acceptance by the University of Oxford (Department of Pharmacology, Course Code RD_PH1), so please refer to the University of Oxford Graduate Students pages for guidance on the subsequent online University application process and the minimum English language requirements: (http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/application_guide/).