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PhD studentship in Computational Neuroscience Modelling of Feedback in the Honeybee Visual System.

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A PhD studentship is available as part of the 5-year £4.8m “Brains on Board” EPSRC Programme Grant (http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/P006094/1), to start in September 2017. This project will develop neuromorphic control systems for autonomous flying robots, based on studies of the honeybee brain and behaviour, that integrate a suite of important behaviours: flight control, multi-modal learning, navigation, sensory integration and decision-making. When deployed, such autonomous robots will be able to explore novel, unstructured terrain, learn the spatial layout of the environment and identify and localise key items of interest based on learned multimodal signatures.

The Department of Computer Science, within the Faculty of Engineering, was established in 1982 and has since attained an international reputation for its research and teaching. In REF2014, the Department was ranked 5th out of 89 computer science departments in the UK, indicating that the large majority of our research is nationally or internationally leading. Further information about the Department can be found at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dcs.

This PhD project will investigate aspects of honeybee vision by building computational models using our sophisticated tools. Insect vision is usually treated as a feed-forward system - with information flowing from the eyes to the central brain in one direction like a river. However, there is potential for extensive feed-back of information from the central brain to upstream regions. The role of this feed-back, and how it influences what the bee sees, is almost unknown but provides an excellent target for computational modelling. This work will provide opportunities to work closely with researchers in a range of disciplines, from biomimetic robotics to experimental neuroscience.

Prospective applicants should have a good Masters degree (1st/2:1 or Distinction/Merit) in a numerate subject (physical sciences and engineering preferred, but the decision will be made on a per-candidate basis). Knowledge of neurobiology is not required, but strong problem solving skills are essential.

Applicants should apply using the University of Sheffield application system online at: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/applying including a covering statement and CV. Applications must be received by Wednesday 1st March.

This PhD studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and provide a tax-free stipend at the standard UK Research Council rate (currently £14,296 for 2016/17) for three years. If you are an international student, you are eligible to apply but you must have the means to pay the difference between the UK/EU and overseas tuition fees.

Informal enquiries should be directed to:
Dr Alex Cope (a.cope@sheffield.ac.uk) or Prof James Marshall (james.marshall@sheffield.ac.uk)

Funding Notes

This PhD studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and provide a tax-free stipend at the standard UK Research Council rate (currently £14,296 for 2016/17) for three years. If you are an international student, you are eligible to apply but you must have the means to pay the difference between the UK/EU and overseas tuition fees.

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