Applications are invited for a 3 year postgraduate studentships leading
to a PhD degree, beginning October 2005. This studentship will cover
fees UK at Home/EU levels and provide a stipend at Research Council UK
rates. This is a joint project between St. George's University of London
and Royal Holloway University of London. Applicants should have, or
expect to be awarded, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or
MSc in an appropriate discipline (please see below).
*
Topic:
Understanding information processing in the cortico-cerebellar system:
functional neuroimaging and neuroinformatics in the healthy and damaged
brain.** ***
*Supervisors:
Dr. Narender Ramnani (Lead supervisor; Reader in Cogntive Neuroscience
at Royal Holloway University of London)
Prof. Hugh Markus (Secondary Supervisor; Professor of Neurology, St.
Georges Hospital University of London).
*
*The deadline for applications is 6th July 2005*
The purpose of the project will be to investigate the neural correlates
of cognition and action in the human brain using functional
neuroimaging, as well as cognitive failure in stroke patients. More
specifically, the project will focus on the functions of the
cortico-cerebellar system. Although this is one of the largest and most
prominent systems in the human brain, its functions are controversial
and poorly understood. Little is known about how the exchange of
information between the human cerebral cortex and cerebellum contributes
to higher cognitive function. The project will investigate this issue by
using advanced functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to
investigate activity in the healthy brain, and will also study the
nature of cognitive impairments in patients with cerebellar stroke.
This project offers the opportunity to acquire skills in important new
methods in Cognitive Neuroscience and use a range of ‘cutting-edge’
methods involving functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to an
advanced level (including event-related fMRI). There will also be
opportunities to learn the skills required to interact with patients,
evaluate the locations of brain lesions and test their cognitive
abilities. The student will be based in Dr. Ramnani’s laboratory in the
Psychology Department at Royal Holloway. The department has been
consistently ranked as one of the leading psychology departments in the
UK. It hosts an on-site, research-dedicated 3 Tesla Siemens Trio MRI
scanner. Dr. Ramnani’s new laboratory is now fully equipped for
developing functional neuroimaging studies and for conducting
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies (please visit
www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/nramnani <http://www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/nramnani> for more
information). Time will also be spent at St. Georges Hospital Medical
School, where Prof. Markus will facilitate access to patients with
cerebellar stroke.
Successful candidates will have a good first or Masters degree in
Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, or similar discipline
(although candidates with good degrees Physics, Mathematics or
Statistics are also encouraged to apply).
Please contact Dr. Ramnani for further information and application
details ([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>; Tel. +44
1784 443519).
--
Narender Ramnani
Reader in Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
Department of Psychology
Royal Holloway University of London
Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Tel: 01784 443519 (Direct)
Fax: 01784 434347 (Departmental)
email: [log in to unmask]
or [log in to unmask]
www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/nramnani
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