I am recruiting a PhD student for my new Skilled Action Memory lab at Bangor University School of Psychology to work on the neural representation of spatio-temporal sequences (fMRI, EEG and combined EEG-fMRI). The fully funded position is open to UK and EU students. International students are welcome to get in touch to discuss alternative options. LINK: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/phd-motor-learning.php.en -> https://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/phd-motor-learning.php.en
Fully funded 3 year PhD studentship in Cognitive Neuroscience of Skilled Motor Learning
School of Psychology, Bangor University
Supervisor: Dr Katja Kornysheva
Applications are invited for a three-year fully funded PhD studentship under the supervision of Dr Katja Kornysheva (who is moving to Bangor University from University College London) within the new “Skilled Action Memory” laboratory at the School of Psychology, Bangor University. The student will be a member of the School's thriving and collaborative Perception, Action and Memory research group, which meets regularly to present and discuss planned and on-going projects as well as important developments in the field. The studentship will commence from October 2017 or later depending on suitability.
Project: Cognitive Neuroscience of Skilled Motor Learning
The broad aim of the “Skilled Action Memory” lab is a) to identify the neural markers of successful skilled action performance, b) to characterize the functional plasticity related to long-term training and c) to develop entry-points for intervention for improving skilled action learning in patients and the healthy population. The corresponding studies utilize spatio-temporal sequence learning paradigms (finger movements, motion tracking, speech recording) in combination with advanced representational neuroimaging analysis (fMRI and MEG/EEG) and non-invasive neural stimulation techniques (TMS/tDCS) to address these aims. The individual PhD project is flexible depending on the candidates' interest and expertise, but should broadly relate to the neural representation of complex sequential motor skills (speech, tool use, athletic or musical performance).
The School
Bangor's School of Psychology was established in 1963 and now has one of the largest student cohorts in the UK and a cosmopolitan feel due to the presence of staff and students from over 20 countries. It has consistently performed exceptionally well in the UK's annual National Student Survey (4th in NSS 2016) and is currently ranked in the top 20 in the 2014 REF with a cosmopolitan mix of academics, many of worldwide renown in their fields. Bangor is a friendly and affordable university town, with good transport links, located in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, situated between the picturesque peaks and valleys of Snowdonia National Park and the golden beaches of the Isle of Anglesey.
What the studentship will cover
Studentships commence in October 2017 and will cover your tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £14,296 p.a. for 2016/17 for full-time students, updated each year); and includes an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of up to £750 for three years for full-time students (pro rata for part-time students). There are other opportunities and benefits available to studentship holders, including an overseas fieldwork allowance (if applicable), internship opportunities and overseas institutional visits.
Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a first or upper second-class undergraduate degree in experimental psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience or a related degree and a relevant Masters qualification, or an undergraduate degree with significant research experience (e.g. student assistant in a laboratory). Applicants should have excellent organizational skills, be highly motivated to acquire and further develop state-of-the-art neuroimaging analyses, enjoy working in a vibrant collaborative research environment, and be able to communicate effectively, with evidence of strong scientific writing skills. Strong programming skills (e.g. Matlab) and experience with human neuroscience techniques (fMRI, TMS/tDCS and/or EEG/MEG) are highly desirable.
Further information
Please visit the Skilled Action Memory Laboratory website (http://sites.google.com/site/kkornysheva/) for more information about the lab, as well as links to publications. Informal enquiries should be directed to k.kornysheva@gmail.com.
Residency requirements
This studentship is open to UK and EU students. Interested students from outside the UK/EU should contact Dr Kornysheva to discuss conditions for funding of International students.
General information
PhD students are expected to contribute to teaching in the department. The initial appointment for the position will be for a period of one year, with an extension of 2 years after positive evaluation of capabilities and compatibility. The appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis.
General enquiries
For administrative advice about how to apply and eligibility, please contact: Everil McQuarrie e.mcquarrie@bangor.ac.uk
How to apply
Apply online (https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/applicant/) by the deadline of 21st May 2017. Note that alongside a CV each applicant should submit a short statement outlining research interests including a proposal for research in the “Skilled Action Memory” lab (500-1000 words).
LINK: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/phd-motor-learning.php.en -> https://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/phd-motor-learning.php.en