The Francis Crick Institute
2 weeks ago
PhD in Development and Function of Neural Circuits Underlying Collective Behaviour The Francis Crick Institute in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Biology
Funding
Funded PhD project. Successful applicants receive a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus payment of university tuition fees. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
Deadline
Nov 2, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
The Francis Crick Institute

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About this position
PhD opportunity at The Francis Crick Institute with Dr Michael Winding on the development and function of neural circuits underlying collective behaviour. The project focuses on how animals compare the costs and benefits of joining collective behaviour, using Drosophila melanogaster larvae as a model system.
The research combines neuroscience, developmental biology, behavioural biology, and bioinformatics. Possible directions include uncovering the circuit mechanisms driving collective digging in larvae, mapping how neurons are interconnected using connectomics, testing circuit hypotheses with behavioural assays, calcium imaging, optogenetics, and anatomical analysis, and studying how social experience shapes circuits during development using single-cell RNA-seq and expansion microscopy approaches such as LICONN.
The project is experimentally grounded and also involves computational analysis, so coding experience in Python is useful. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in neuroscience, development, or collective behaviour, and prior laboratory experience is expected. The post notes that specific experience with the techniques is not required, as training can be developed during the PhD.
This is a funded PhD project for students worldwide. Funding includes a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus university tuition fees. The posting is for a 2027 Crick PhD project.
Location: London, United Kingdom.
Application: Use the project page to apply and answer the lab-specific question about your fit for the project.
Funding details
Funded PhD project. Successful applicants receive a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus payment of university tuition fees. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
What's required
Strong interest in neuroscience, development, or collective behaviour. Prior laboratory experience is expected. Experience with coding, particularly Python, is valuable but not required. The candidate should be excited to test circuit hypotheses using behavioural assays, anatomical analysis, and functional imaging, and should be comfortable with computational analysis.
How to apply
Review the project details and answer the lab-specific question about how your past experiences and interests make you a good fit. Submit an application through the FindAPhD/Crick PhD application route linked from the posting.
More information can be found here
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