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University of Bristol

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Funded PhD in Neuroscience: Genetic Risk, Cognitive Flexibility and Neural Plasticity in Schizophrenia University of Bristol in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Pharmacology

Funding

Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually), plus additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum.

Deadline

Oct 21, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Bristol

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Keywords

Pharmacology
Psychology
Biology
Animal Behavior
Virtual Reality
Electrophysiology
Neuroplasticity
Neuropsychology
Medical Science
Schizophrenia
Hippocampus

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About this position

Funded PhD project at the University of Bristol in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience on neuroscience, schizophrenia, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive flexibility.

The project, supervised by Prof J Mellor, investigates how genetic risk factors such as Dlg2 and Grin2A disrupt dendritic signalling, hippocampal representations, and behavioural flexibility in psychiatric disorders. The work combines transgenic animal models, electrophysiology, synaptic and dendritic calcium imaging, 2-photon imaging, virtual reality-based rodent behaviour, and pharmacological rescue experiments using clinically relevant compounds.

Training will be provided in Bristol and through collaborations in Cardiff, Exeter, and other partner groups. The student will gain experience in ex vivo brain slice recordings, in vivo imaging, animal behaviour paradigms, complex data analysis, and virtual reality environments. The project also offers the possibility of extending into computational modelling.

This is a funded PhD studentship open to students worldwide. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a doctoral stipend at the UK Research Council National Minimum, and additional research training/support funding of up to £5,000 per year.

Applications are made through the GW4 BioMed website. Applicants may select up to two projects and submit one application per candidate. The deadline is 21 October 2026 at 5:00pm. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed virtually on 26–27 January 2027, and the studentship starts on 1 October 2027.

Funding details

Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually), plus additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum.

What's required

Applicants should be interested in neuroscience, synaptic plasticity, electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging, animal behaviour, and data analysis. The project involves work with transgenic animals and training across Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter; willingness to learn virtual reality environments and complex data analysis is important. The post is open to students worldwide.

How to apply

Check the GW4 BioMed website for the list of projects and the online application form. You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only. Submit the application for an offer of funding by 5:00pm on 21 October 2026; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed virtually on 26–27 January 2027.

More information can be found here

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