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Predoctoral Employment Opportunities

(last updated July 14, 2010)

Funded PhD Studentship in Psychology, University of Plymouth, Devon, England (Deadline 9/15/10)

Funded PhD Studentship in Psychology

University of Plymouth, Devon, England

Cognitive Neuroscience of Top-Down Processes in Human Vision and Memory
School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Plymouth, UK
Supervisors: Dr. Haline E. Schendan and Dr. Giorgio Ganis

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship financed by the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth (www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/psychology) to start in January or April 2011.

Project Description
The project will investigate the brain basis of human vision, memory, and learning, emphasizing the role of top-down processes, with Dr. Haline Schendan and Dr. Giorgio Ganis. We combine the sophisticated behavioral paradigms of cognitive psychology and psychophysics with human neuroscience methods, including electroencephalogram (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), brain stimulation techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and neurocomputational modeling to determine when, where, and how the human brain supports cognition.

This research program is part of the Centre for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour: www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/cbcb. The School of Psychology has internationally excellent research in cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, and neurocomputation. Research topics include: Learning and Memory, Visual Cognition, Spatial Vision, Vision and Action, Linguistics, and Cognitive Development. Technical resources are state-of-the-art, including high-density, 64- and 128-channels of active EEG electrodes (passive amplification also available), TMS with stereotactic guidance, eye- and motor-tracking, neurocomputational modeling, and fMRI with multi-channel head coil. These facilities also allow multiple neuroimaging methods to be combined (e.g., simultaneous EEG and TMS). In addition, extensive psychophysiological, psychophysics, and behavioral testing, as well as neurocomputing, facilities are available and can be combined with the human neuroscience methods. Laboratory and teaching facilities were completely renovated in 2008. The School of Psychology has a large, vibrant, highly collaborative, and interdisciplinary community. The brain group collaborates with colleagues in the Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS: www.tech.plym.ac.uk/SoCCE/CRNS/index.html) and with the Centre for Biomedical Technologies (CBiT) and Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD: www.pms.ac.uk/).

Eligibility
Applicants should have a good first degree in psychology or other relevant discipline. Applicants with a relevant MSc or MRes would be particularly welcome. Highly motivated students with a strong background in psychology, neurobiology, neuroimaging, cognitive science/neuroscience, neurocomputation, and/or biomedical-engineering, especially those with previous experience using human neuroscience methods (e.g., EEG, fMRI), are particularly welcome to apply. Previous experimental research experience in Psychology is necessary. Programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, C) would be beneficial but are not essential.

Funding Details
The studentship is for 3 years and includes fees plus a stipend of approximately £13,590 per annum, and a research training support grant of £750 per annum (for conference travel, etc.) for a home/EU student. The studentships will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home/EU fees with appropriate qualification. Applicants eligible for overseas fees would have to cover the difference (approximately £9,275 p.a.) between the Home/EU tuition fee and the tuition fee for an overseas student.

How to Apply
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Haline Schendan (haline.schendan@plymouth.ac.uk) or Giorgio Ganis (giorgio.ganis@plymouth.ac.uk). Informal enquires may also be made to Prof Jon May (pgcoordinator@psy.plymouth.ac.uk). Applications must be made in accordance with the following details. General information about applying for a research degree at the University of Plymouth and application forms are available at (www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=5731) or by contacting Catherine Johnson (catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk). Applications should be sent direct to Miss Catherine Johnson (catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk), Faculty of Science & Technology Research Office, A103 Portland Square, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA.

Closing date: 15 September 2010
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received an offer of a place by the end of October 2010 should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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