Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship aimed at improving the sensitivity of functional connectomics analyses for neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.
Functional connectomics analyses of fMRI data offer a highly robust, valid, and translational approach to mapping brain functional circuitry and to understanding typical and atypical brain development. Recent work has demonstrated that passive or naturalistic viewing paradigms (wherein participants watch movies while being scanned) offer some advantages over “resting state” fMRI by increasing the robustness and reliability of functional connectomics measures. Promisingly, naturalistic paradigms also boost our ability to detect individual differences in brain functional organisation, a key requisite for neuroimaging-based biomarkers that have diagnostic and prognostic validity. This project will build on these advances to investigate new methods for analysing both resting state and naturalistic fMRI data, with the goal of enhancing their sensitivity to phenotypic differences of clinical relevance (e.g., age, diagnosis, symptom severity). The project will utilise data collected on-site in Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience from two neurodevelopmental populations (Autism Spectrum Disorder, adolescent depression) as well as publicly available data (e.g., ABCD project; Health Brain Network). Outputs will include not only scientific papers and presentations, but also data and analytic resources that will be openly shared with the scientific community.
The studentship is a full-time four-year fully funded (EU/non-EU) PhD position in the IMaging Mind Architecture lab (https://immalab.wordpress.com) at Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, lead by Clare Kelly. Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience offers a stimulating, collaborative, interdisciplinary intellectual environment, where the candidate will be supported in the acquisition of a wide range of skills that will foster long-term career development. The candidate will also have international training and networking opportunities, including visits to other leading research centres.
This project is ideal for a highly motivated student with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or engineering, or related field. Knowledge of neuroimaging and statistics, strong computational skills, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required. Familiarity with python, or an eagerness to learn, is strongly desired.
The studentship will commence in September 2019. The studentship will cover EU or non-EU fees and a provide an annual stipend (€16,000 per year, non-taxable).
Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter including a personal statement and full contact information for two references to [log in to unmask]
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