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University of St Andrews

PhD in Synaptic Mechanisms of Prediction-Error Plasticity in Neuroscience University of St Andrews in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Molecular Biology

Funding

This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. It is open to UK and international students and provides a stipend at the UKRI standard rate plus UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews covers the Home-International fee difference.

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United Kingdom

University

University of St Andrews

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Keywords

Molecular Biology
Neurology
Biophysics
Biology
Optogenetics
Zoology
Neuropsychology
Medical Science
Synaptic Plasticity
Zebrafish Biology

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About this position

PhD opportunity in neuroscience at the University of St Andrews focused on prediction-error plasticity, synaptic mechanisms, cerebellar learning, and inferior olive circuitry.

The project asks where learning-related changes occur in the brain: at inputs to olive neurons, within the olive cells themselves, or at the synapses connecting to the cerebellum. Using larval zebrafish, the student will map sensory and motor pathways, then combine multiple techniques to observe synaptic changes during learning in a closed-loop virtual reality setup. The work aims to identify which synapses change, how plasticity is induced, and how teaching signals are shaped during prediction-error learning.

Research keywords include neuroscience, biophysics, molecular biology, neurology, zoology, synaptic plasticity, circuit mapping, optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, pharmacology, and integrative data analysis.

This is a 4-year funded PhD under the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees, with the University of St Andrews covering the Home-International fee difference. The opportunity is open to UK and international students.

Applicants should follow the EASTBIO application process: complete the EASTBIO Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey, complete the EASTBIO Application Form, and submit an online application via the University of St Andrews portal. Select PhD with internship and include the required documents and two references. Queries about the project go to the supervisors; application questions go to Rachel Horn at [email protected].

Funding details

This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. It is open to UK and international students and provides a stipend at the UKRI standard rate plus UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews covers the Home-International fee difference.

What's required

Applicants should be suitable for a 4-year funded PhD project and be able to work on neuroscience research using larval zebrafish. The project highlights training in in vivo electrophysiology, circuit mapping, optogenetic stimulation, pharmacology, and integrative data analysis. English language qualification is required if applicable, and the application must include academic qualifications and two references.

How to apply

Download and complete the EASTBIO Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey and the EASTBIO Application Form. Submit an online application through the University of St Andrews portal and select the course 'PhD with internship'. Send the EASTBIO reference form to your referees so they can upload it or email it to [email protected].

More information can be found here

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