Postgraduate Opportunities
Newcastle University
Supervisor(s): Dr Kai Alter, Dr Rob Forsyth, Dr Anna Basu
Sponsor: EPSRC
Institute: Institute of Neuroscience
Project Start Date: 1 October 2008
Duration of Award: 3 Years
Project Description
This project investigates how lexical abilities are progressively retrieved in young patients after brain damage by means of Auditory Evoked Potentials. In particular, we aim to investigate how children at the age of 3-8 years process linguistic and non-linguistic materials in different stages after brain damage. Two questions will be addressed in this project:
Is there a specific brain signature in processing words vs. pre-lexical items with respect to plasticity?
How can the acoustic structure of the materials be related to specific brain responses in young patients?
To answer these questions, Auditory Evoked Potentials and brain oscillations will be recorded at different stages of recovery in young patients and controls.
Person Specification
Applicants must have a first-class or upper-second-class degree, or equivalent, in any area of biological or biomedical sciences. You should also have excellent English language skills, a profound knowledge of statistical methods, and it is desirable to have experience in neurophysiology or neuro-imaging methods.
Value of the Award
Due to funding criteria, this award is only available to UK and EU applicants. The award covers fees and an annual stipend (starting at £12,940). Non-UK EU nationals must be resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the studentship to qualify for the full award. If they do not meet this condition, they will be eligible for a fees only award.
How to Apply
You must complete the University’s postgraduate application form (www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply), selecting ‘PhD Faculty of Medical Sciences (full time)’ as the programme of study and inserting the reference number ION51. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) and a CV, a covering letter and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications must be attached. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number ION51 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.
You should also send your covering letter and CV to Nigel Lamond, Postgraduate Secretary, Institute of Neuroscience, Henry Wellcome Building, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, or by email to nigel.lamond@ncl.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 16 June 2008
Further Information
Enquiries may be made to Nigel Lamond (nigel.lamond@ncl.ac.uk) or to Dr Kai Alter (kai.alter@ncl.ac.uk)
Funding information
- Funding applies to:
- EU applicants (including UK)
