Publisher
source

Matthew Apps

Top university

10 months ago

PhD: Brain Mechanisms Linking Sleep Deprivation and Disrupted Motivation in Health and Parkinson’s Disease University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Data Science

Funding

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Deadline

Expired

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Birmingham

Suggested positions

Publisher
source

University of Oxford

Country flag

United Kingdom

Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford in the Department of Experimental Psychology , working with the Brain, Speech & Language Research Group led by Kate Watkins . This is a research position in Neuroscience , Cognitive Neuroscience , Psychology , Speech and Language Sciences , and related areas. The project is part of the ERC-funded STUTTER study, which investigates the neural mechanisms underlying stuttering across the lifespan. The postholder will lead a randomised controlled tr...

Psychology
Cognitive Science
Neuroimaging
+7 more

Posted Yesterday

Publisher
source

University of Edinburgh

Country flag

United Kingdom

Clinical Brain Sciences PhD at the University of Edinburgh is a 100% research-based, on-campus doctoral programme in Medicine / Neuroscience focused on the causes, consequences, and treatment of major brain disorders. The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS) brings together laboratory scientists, clinical academics, and informaticians working across areas such as stroke and cerebrovascular disease , multiple sclerosis , motor neurone disease , dementias , neuroimaging , psychiatry , autism ...

Neurology
Psychiatry
Psychology
+8 more

3 days ago

Publisher
source

University of Cambridge

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at the University of Cambridge in Mathematical Modelling of Neurodegenerative Tauopathies – from systems to clinical impact. This project sits in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and is supervised by Dr T Rittman . It builds on in silico mathematical models of neurodegenerative disorders associated with the tau protein and uses real-world cohort data from people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy , Corticobasal Syndrome , and Frontotemporal Dementia . The research combin...

Computer Science
Neurology
Biology
+8 more

2 months ago

Publisher
source

University of Cambridge

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences on Fluid Biomarkers of Inflammation in Frontotemporal Dementia . This project focuses on neuroscience , neurology , neuroinflammation , frontotemporal dementia , and related neurodegenerative disorders, with additional relevance to Alzheimer’s disease , biomarkers , proteomics , neuroimaging , and clinical data analysis. The research aims to characterise inflammation signatures in blood and CSF from people...

Neurology
Biology
Neuroimaging
+5 more

2 months ago

Publisher
source

University of Cambridge

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity: Neurobiology of Consciousness at the University of Cambridge , Department of Clinical Neurosciences, with Prof Emmanuel Stamatakis . This project asks fundamental questions about neuroscience and consciousness : how subjective experience emerges from neural activity, why consciousness changes under anaesthesia and psychedelic drugs, and how it can persist or disappear in severe brain injury. The research combines neuroimaging and computational neuroscience to study altered state...

Computer Science
Data Science
Psychology
+10 more

2 months ago

Keywords

Data Science
Neurology
Psychology
Cognitive Science
Neuroimaging
Parkinson's Disease
Mathematical Modeling
Motivation
Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuropsychology
Medical Science
Insomnia
Computational Modelling
- Neuroscience

About this position

This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Birmingham investigates the brain mechanisms linking sleep deprivation and disrupted motivation in both healthy individuals and patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Poor sleep and reduced motivation are common and impactful symptoms in neurological conditions, yet their intersection remains poorly understood. This project aims to uncover how sleep quality affects motivational systems in the brain, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s Disease.

As a PhD student, you will employ a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing online studies, advanced brain imaging techniques, controlled sleep laboratory protocols, and direct work with patient groups. You will be trained in cutting-edge cognitive computational neuroscience methods, including computational modelling and model-based fMRI, under the guidance of a supervisory team comprising Dr. Matthew Apps, Prof. Clare Anderson, and Dr. Selma Lugtmeijer. The project is embedded within the Motivation and Social Neuroscience lab and the Centre for Human Brain Health, providing access to world-class facilities and a collaborative research environment.

The studentship is funded by the Medical Research Council for four years and covers a stipend, tuition fees at both home and international rates, a laptop allowance, research training and support grant (RTSG), and travel allowance. Applications are open to home, EU, and international candidates, though international recruitment is capped at 30% of the cohort due to funder stipulations.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical science, or a related field. Experience or interest in computational modelling, neuroimaging, or working with neurological patient groups is desirable. The project offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in both experimental and computational neuroscience, with the potential to impact millions of patients affected by neurological disorders.

The application deadline is midday (GMT) on 9 January 2026. Late applications will not be considered. For further information and to access the application form, visit the MRC AIM website at https://more.bham.ac.uk/mrc-aim/phd-opportunities/. For details about the research group, see www.MSN-lab.com.

Funding details

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

What's required

Applicants should have a strong academic background in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical science, or a related discipline. Experience or interest in computational modelling, brain imaging, or working with neurological patient groups is desirable. Applications are welcome from home, EU, and international candidates, but international recruitment is capped at 30% of the cohort due to funder stipulations. No specific GPA or language test requirements are mentioned, but strong research and analytical skills are expected.

ApplyKite TwinLearns as you apply

Make your next move.

Prepare your application

Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.

Professors

Prof. at School of Psychology

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Neuropsychology

Cognitive Neuroscience

Sleep Apnea

Fatigue Analysis

Chronobiology