Postgraduate Opportunities
Newcastle University
Supervisor(s): Dr Fiona LeBeau, Dr Mohammed Shoaib
Institute: Institute of Neuroscience
Sponsor: EPSRC
Project Start Date: 1 October 2008
Duration of Award: 3 Years
Project Description
Cocaine addiction in humans is characterized by extended binges of drug taking, abstinence, craving and relapse to another binge. Pharmacotherapies aimed at breaking this vicious cycle of addiction have been rather unsuccessful and attention has now shifted from the acquisition and maintenance phases of cocaine seeking to the period of withdrawal during which exposure to cocaine priming can precipitate relapse to cocaine seeking behaviour. Chronic cocaine use is known to cause long-term changes in the brain but still our understanding at the cellular and systems network level has not been characterised.
In this project, we will use behavioural models of cocaine addiction in rodents to investigate these changes. In particular, alterations in the function of the neurotransmitter dopamine, known to play a central role in drug addiction, will be investigated in key brain regions. We will use a combination of behavioural measures and in vitro electrophysiological recordings (field, intracellular and whole-cell patch techniques) to assess changes in cortical activity during cocaine addiction and withdrawal.
Person Specification
Applicants must have a first-class or upper-second-class degree, or equivalent, in a biological science. Experience of either behavioural testing or electrophysiological techniques is desirable but full training will be given.
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 ION55. 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 ION55 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), Dr Fiona LeBeau (fiona.lebeau@ncl.ac.uk) or Dr Mohammed Shoaib (mohammed.shoaib@ncl.ac.uk)
Funding information
- Funding applies to:
- EU applicants (including UK)
