2024 BNA Scholars announced
15th March 2024
Project
An exciting full-time funded PhD opportunity has arisen at the University of Hertfordshire associated with a collaborative project with King’s College London and Brunel University London funded by the US Air Force.
The project aims to build an explorative and predictive model of the brain that is sensitive to the transitions between sustained attention and mind-wandering states using an already collected simultaneously acquired EEG/fMRI dataset. Towards this goal, novel methods for characterizing, sequencing, and predicting neural dynamics at two complementary spatio-temporal resolution levels will be developed: level 1) electroencephalography (EEG) microstates, which are short quasi-stable topographies of brain electrical activity as measured at the scalp; and level 2) functional connectivity maps derived from the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data.
The PhD will be supervised by Dr Shabnam Kadir (University of Hertfordshire), Dr Elena Antonova (Brunel University London), Prof Robert Leech (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London), and Prof Chrystopher Nehaniv (University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, and University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada).
Requirements
We are seeking to appoint a graduate in Computer Science, Bioengineering, Physics, Mathematics, Neuroscience, or related fields, with an interest in cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, who has proven programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++). Knowledge of signal processing, time-series analysis, and machine learning would be an advantage. Previous experience of EEG and/or fMRI data analysis is highly desirable.
How to apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CV and make informal inquiries with Dr Shabnam Kadir (s.kadir2@herts.ac.uk) before making a formal application.
To apply, submit an application form (downloadable from https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/31105/uh-application-form.pdf) together with a cover letter, CV, and scanned copies of university transcripts and degree certificates (BSc, and if relevant MSc) via email to doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk, cc-ing Dr Kadir on s.kadir2@herts.ac.uk and Dr Antonova on elena.antonova@brunel.ac.uk.
Closing Date for the applications: 23rd October 2020. (Interviews are expected to be scheduled in the week commencing 16th November 2020).
For more information, click here
The 3-year full-time PhD studentship includes a stipend of £15,285 per annum in addition to covering tuition fees. Only EU and UK citizens are eligible to apply.
The start date of the PhD will be January 2021.