Ministry of Defence funded PhD Studentship
Fully funded 3 year PhD studentship
Dr. Emily S. Cross and Dr. Richard Ramsey
Closing date: July 29th 2013Â
Applications are invited for a three-year fully-funded PhD studentship in the Social Brain in Action (SoBA) laboratory within the School of Psychology, Bangor University.
The studentship will commence in October 2013. It includes a payment of UK/EU level tuition fees, a maintenance allowance of approximately £13,590 p.a. and a research allowance of £750 p.a. for 3 years.
Project description
When learning a new skill, whether as simple as tying oneâs shoes or as complex as performing heart surgery, we benefit from watching others who are already experts at performing that skill. Our ability to learn by observation is a key ingredient for acquiring new skills. However, little is known about the cognitive and neural bases of observational learning or how it compares to physical learning. As such, it remains unexplored whether it is possible to identify who might be best suited to learning via observation, as well as whether it is possible to use neurostimulation interventions to improve individualsâ ability to learn by watching.
The project is funded by Ministry of Defence â Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and aims to investigate the neurobiological basis of physical and observational learning through a combination of training experiments, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
SoBA Lab
The project is part of ongoing research in the Social Brain in Action Laboratory (SoBA Lab), which explores the cognitive and brain systems that underpin our ability to understand the actions and mental states of other people. The SoBA Lab is an international research group housed in the School of Psychology at Bangor University, which offers access to outstanding facilities for Social / Cognitive Neuroscience. Furthermore, Bangor is situated in a beautiful region of North Wales close to Snowdonia National Park, which provides a wonderful natural backdrop to professional activities.
Requirements
Due to funding restrictions applicants must have a UK/EU nationality and are expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology or neuroscience).
The work will require good programming skills (e.g., in Matlab) and strong written and oral communication skills. Experience with human neuroscience techniques (fMRI, TMS, EEG) is also desirable.
How to Apply
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.
For further details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button below.
For more details on SOBA Lab, click here:Â http://www.soba-lab.com/
Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr. Richard Ramsey and Dr. Emily Cross (r.ramsey@bangor.ac.uk // e.cross@bangor.ac.uk). For enquiries about the application process email Shanti Shanker (ShantiShanker@bangor.ac.uk)
Committed to Equal OpportunitiesÂ