University of St Andrews
2 weeks ago
PhD in Cognitive Flexibility in Rats: Automated Sound-Based Attentional Set-Shifting University of St Andrews in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Pharmacology
Funding
This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project under the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference. Open to UK and international students.
Deadline
Nov 16, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of St Andrews

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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of St Andrews in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience: EASTBIO Cognitive flexibility in rats: a new approach to automation.
This project sits at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, biology, and translational research on cognitive flexibility and behavioural flexibility. The work focuses on attentional set-shifting in rats, developing a new automated sound-based task to improve throughput and objective behavioural measurement. The project also explores chemogenetics and/or pharmacological manipulations targeting the prefrontal cortex to model cognitive symptoms associated with disorders such as schizophrenia, and to validate the task against previous data.
You will gain training in rodent behavioural testing, automated task programming, behavioural analysis, and techniques for assessing changes in brain function. The project also has a translational angle, with interest in whether people can perform similar sound-based attentional set-shifting tasks.
Eligibility: applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree (2:1 or above) or a Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, zoology, or a related discipline. Experience with rodent behavioural testing, programming, and/or immunohistochemistry is desirable.
Funding: this is a 4-year competition-funded PhD through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. It provides a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and covers UK tuition fees; the university covers the Home-International fee difference. The opportunity is open to UK and international students.
How to apply: email Dr David Tait with a CV and cover letter. Then complete the EASTBIO application form, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey, and submit an online application through the University of St Andrews portal. Select the course PhD with internship and include qualifications, English language evidence if applicable, and two references.
Deadline: Monday, 16 November 2026.
Funding details
This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project under the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference. Open to UK and international students.
What's required
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree with at least a 2:1, or a Master’s degree, in psychology, neuroscience, biology, zoology, or a related discipline. Prior experience in rodent behavioural testing, some knowledge of computer programming, and/or familiarity with lab techniques such as immunohistochemistry would be advantageous. English language qualification is required if applicable.
How to apply
Email Dr David Tait with a CV and cover letter including your contact information, motivation, and background. Then complete the EASTBIO application form, the EDI survey, and submit an online application via the University of St Andrews portal for the course ‘PhD with internship’. Include qualifications, English language evidence if applicable, and two references on the EASTBIO reference form.
More information can be found here
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