PhD Studentship - Modelling decision making in C. elegans to understand neural mechanisms of major

Biological Sciences Research

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Wednesday 01 March 2017

Reference: 835017BJ

PhD Studentship –Modelling decision making in C. elegans to understand neural mechanisms of major psychiatric disorders

PhD Supervisor: Professor Lindy Holden-Dye, co supervisor: Dr James Dillon

Application Deadline: March 1^st, 2017

Interviews will be held in mid March

PhD Description: 

Processing within neural circuits that underlie the integration and processing of sensory information to drive decision making processes is impaired in complex neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism and schizophrenia.  Whilst a wide spectrum of different genes have been implicated, it is not clear how changes in the function of these genes bring about altered signalling at the level of integrative circuits that underpin cognitive processing. The model organism C. elegans provides a simple tractable system for a gene to circuit approach to the study of decision making. The project will use CRISPR/Cas9 approaches to make precise manipulations in C. elegans genes that are orthologues of human genes implicated in autism and schizophrenia. In collaboration with Dr Srinandan Dasmahapatra (Electronics and Computer Science) the student will use video capture and computational modelling to characterise how these genetic manipulations impact upon the activity of integrative circuits that co-ordinate decision making. In this way new insight will be gained into how fundamental molecular dysfunction leads to abnormalities at the level of cells and circuits that ultimately lead to aberrant behaviour.

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in Biological Sciences or allied subjects. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 14,533 per annum for 2017-18 entrants.

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants.

 Applications for Biological Sciences should be submitted online at:

https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=4973&majr;=4973&term;=201718  Please place 'Holden-Dye' name in the field for proposed supervisor.

General enquiries should be made Lindy Holden-Dye lmhd@soton.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

The University of Southampton and Biological Sciences both hold an Athena Swan Silver & Bronze Award, respectively, demonstrating their commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.   Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break.  University benefits include onsite childcare facilities, state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.