PhD Opportunity: The Neural, Behavioural, and Clinical Effects of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness

We are inviting applications for a PhD studentship (start date January 2023) to work on the RAINDROP study at the University of Birmingham and The Wellington Hospital (UK). https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr128754 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2019/new-clinical-research-offers-possibility-of-future-rehabilitation-for-patients-in-vegetative-and-minimally-conscious-states This is a funded studentship which covers stipend and home fees. The project will be supervised by Dr Davinia Fernández-Espejo and Dr Damian Cruse.

The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Human Brain Health (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centre-for-human-brain-health/index.aspx ) and work under the supervision of Dr Davinia Fernandez-Espejo (http://www.daviniafernandezespejo.com/ ), and Dr Damian Cruse (https://www.damiancruse.com/ ).

Research focus: A significant proportion of patients who are in a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC), such as the vegetative (VS) or the minimally conscious states (MCS) possess a high level of cognitive function but are simply unable to demonstrate this with purposeful motor behaviours. However, we have no effective therapies for inducing or accelerating recovery in these patients. As part of a recent grant (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FP02596X%2F1 ), we have established that non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation; tDCS), coupled with passive mobilisation, can modulate the dynamics of the motor system in a way that is expected to increase motor responsiveness in PDOC. This PhD project focuses on the translation of this fundamental scientific research into direct clinical impact with PDOC patients themselves. Through our collaboration with The Wellington Hospital, London (home to both a specialised unit for rehabilitation of PDOC and in-house MRI facilities) we have all the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals to deliver this project in place.

The project will involve the following techniques:

• Designing, planning, and running paradigms to quantify responsiveness in PDOC
• Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Non-invasive brain stimulation
• Advanced signal processing and statistical analyses
• Computational modelling

Essential skills: Applicants should have a research-oriented background in cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, or experimental psychology. The position is more suited for a researcher with a masters level degree or equivalent. They should have an interest in brain injury, imaging and brain stimulation and good organisation and time-management skills, a positive problem-solving attitude, and strong teamwork skills.

Desirable skills: Advanced statistical and programming skills, experience with neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, and/or working with patients with brain injury is desirable. However, we will also consider applicants who do not yet have these skills and are highly motivated to learn them with our help and guidance during the project.

To apply Please email d.fernandez-espejo@bham.ac.uk by the 24th of October with a cover letter, a CV, a transcript of your degree, and the names of two referees. Feel free to also email if you have any questions or would like more information.