Evaluating the nature and neural bases of unconscious reward learning

Much of our behaviour is driven by associations that are learned without conscious awareness. Among such unconsciously acquired associations the formation of reward expectancy is potentially of both the greatest practical and theoretical importance. In application, greater insight into unconscious reward learning is vital for improving behavioural interventions in addiction and behavioural treatments for compulsive or otherwise maladaptive behaviours. In the theoretical context, characterising the mechanisms of unconscious reward association and how they differ from those of conscious association is essential to understanding how unconscious affective processes play a role in shaping conscious selfhood. Building on novel experimental paradigms, developed within the Sackler Centre, for studying unconscious reward contingencies, we have a unique opportunity to offer a cutting-edge PhD project exploring various aspects of unconscious reward learning and its neural correlates. The project will begin with a series of behavioural experiments that contrast factors influencing the strength of unconsciously and consciously formed reward associations. The research will then utilize fMRI facilities at our Clinical Imaging Science Centre to examine how differences in cortical activations for conscious versus unconscious learning map onto known reward networks in the brain, as well as those brain regions implicated more broadly in experiences of selfhood. There will be many opportunities to develop the project in distinctive directions, including utilising EEG, TMS, psychophysiological methods to further probe neurophysiological and somatic factors; as well as possible extensions to testing clinical populations. Altogether the research will establish a new bridge between consciousness research and the neurobiology of reward. The project will suit highly motivated students with a strong experimental background and good competence in technical methods.


This project is offered as part of the 2017 Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Ph.D. programme, for which two funded scholarships are available across a range of projects. Founded in 2010, the Sackler Centre is an internationally leading research group in the area of consciousness science. Researchers across three schools (Psychology, Informatics and Engineering, Brighton and Sussex Medical School) work together to unravel the biological basis of conscious experience, and to develop new approaches to clinical diagnosis and intervention in a wide range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. For more information about the Centre see www.sussex.ac.uk/sackler, and follow the links below for information about the 2017 Ph.D. programme.

Application web page

University’s application page: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/apply/

School of Psychology: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/pgstudy/psychologyphdstudentships2017

Sackler Centre: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sackler/research/postgraduatestudy/sackler2017phds

Eligibility requirements for potential candidates:

This award will only pay fees at the Home/EU rate. Candidates may not be eligible for the full award if they do not meet UK residency requirements.
For full details of eligibility, please check the ESRC guidelines:

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/skills-and-careers/studentships/prospective-students/am-i-eligible-for-an-esrc-studentship/

Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

Guidance for applicants

To apply, candidates should make an application via the university’s online application system: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/apply/. Please see http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sackler/research/postgraduatestudy/sackler2017phds for more information about the application process.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, likely in February 2017.