PhD Studentship: Determining the role of prefrontal circuitry in social behaviours in a preclinical mouse model of autism spectrum disorder.

Funding for: UK only

Funding amount: Full URKI stipend of £17668 per year with a consumables budget of £18,867

Hours: Full time

Closing date: 31st October 2022

About the project

The prefrontal cortex is central to higher cognitive behaviours and dysfunction of prefrontal circuits has been implicated in a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism. A fully funded PhD position is available to study the circuit mechanisms underlying changes in social behaviours in a preclinical mouse model of symptoms present in autism spectrum disorders. The project is highly multi-disciplinary and will combine in vitro slice electrophysiology work alongside mouse behaviour and in vivo manipulations using, for example, chemogenetics to understand when and how circuit dysfunction within the PFC causes changes in social learning and social behaviour. The main aim of these studies will be to determine if mutant mice respond and react appropriately in social environments to guide behaviour and from this determine the underlying circuit mechanisms which regulate observed changes in behaviour.

The project is co-supervised by Dr Paul Anastasiades and Dr Emma Cahill at the University of Bristol and will combine technical expertise across both research groups towards a shared goal of understanding the role of prefrontal circuitry in social behaviours. The successful student will receive hands on mentorship from experts in their respective fields. Together the supervisory team will provide multidisciplinary training across rodent behaviour, in vivo (rodent stereotaxic surgery), and in vitro (slice physiology) methods. The student will also learn computational approaches to data analysis, for example coding in Igor and Matlab. Students will also become part of the wider Bristol Neuroscience research community.

For more information, please see our lab websites:

Anastasiades: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/paul-g-anastasiades

Cahill: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/emma-n-cahill

Or contact us via email:

paul.anastasiades@bristol.ac.uk

emma.n.cahill@bristol.ac.uk

Funding:  This project offers support for 4 years starting in January 2022 including a stipend at UKRI rates £17668 (22/23), UK PhD tuition fees at £4565, a budget for consumables and support for conference attendance. International/EU students are welcome to apply if they can fund the difference in fees. International/EU fees are £24,600 per year. Guaranteed research budget of at least £18,867. Funding is generously provided by The Scobie Family and Bristol Neuroscience to support research into Mental Health.

How to apply: The candidate is expected to have (or be about to obtain) an upper second-class honours degree in Neuroscience or a related discipline. Research experience is preferred, but not essential. Applicants from minority or underrepresented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 11:59PM ON THE 31st OF OCTOBER 2022

To apply, please send the documents listed below to paul.anastasiades@bristol.ac.uk

• A copy of your CV (maximum 2 pages).
• Contact details for two referees.
• A brief half page statement outlining your interest in the project

Candidate requirements:

Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) at least an upper second class honors degree or Masters degree (or equivalent) in Neuroscience or a related discipline. Candidates who have previous laboratory research experience are particularly encouraged to apply. Pre-application enquires are encouraged.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview in December 2022.

Funding: see above

Contact:  Supervisors

Dr Paul Anastasiades paul.anastasiades@bristol.ac.uk and Dr Emma Cahill emma.n.cahill@bristol.ac.uk