This PhD project at Queen Mary University of London investigates how the brain consolidates new memories during sleep, focusing on the mechanisms by which spatial maps are formed and reorganized in the hippocampal formation. The research will use in vivo electrophysiology to record neural activity in mice during navigation and rest, examining how place and grid cells encode spatial experiences and how these sequences are replayed during sleep to support memory consolidation. The project integrates experimental neuroscience with computational modelling, allowing candidates to tailor their focus according to their strengths in data analysis, modelling, or experimental work. The successful candidate will join Dr. Guifen Chen’s research group, which specializes in the network mechanisms of spatial cognition and episodic memory, including research on Alzheimer’s Disease. Co-supervision is provided by Dr. Daniel Bush, whose group at University College London is renowned for combining rodent and human electrophysiology with advanced computational approaches. Training will be provided in in vivo electrophysiology, neural data analysis, and computational modelling, offering a rich interdisciplinary environment that bridges neuroscience, data science, and translational research. The project is part of a joint scholarship programme between Queen Mary University of London and the China Scholarship Council (CSC), which covers tuition fees and provides living expenses and travel for successful Chinese applicants. Eligibility is restricted to citizens and permanent residents of China who meet CSC criteria and Queen Mary’s academic and English language requirements. Applicants should have a strong background in a relevant discipline (Maths, Neuroscience, Physics, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Medicine, or Psychology), experience in programming (Matlab or Python), and ideally experience with rodent experiments. All required documentation must be submitted by January 28, 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. The project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our understanding of how the brain transforms transient experiences into lasting memories, with potential applications in both basic neuroscience and translational research for neurological diseases.