Dear list,
A funded PhD position is available at the University of
Plymouth, UK.
Title: Echoes of perception: Mapping sensory cortex
with fMRI-guided ultrasound stimulation.
Closing date: 20th April 2025.
PhD start date: 1st October 2025
Overview:
This project will evaluate the effect of transcranial
ultrasound stimulation (TUS) of primary sensory cortex (visual
and auditory) on perception. Combining structural and functional
MRI, neuro-navigated TUS, psychophysical measurements and
state-of the art analysis techniques, we will systematically
characterise the behavioural consequences of TUS stimulation of
restricted parts of retinotopically/tonotopically-mapped visual
and auditory cortical areas, providing a phenomenological test
of the spatial accuracy of TUS stimulation.
The successful applicant will be part of a large, vibrant,
highly collaborative community of PhD students and academic
staff in the
School of
Psychology. They will have access to well-equipped
laboratory facilities supported by a dedicated team of technical
staff and a state-of-the-art neuroimaging facility at the
Brain
Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC), equipped with a 3T
MRI scanner, multiple TUS transducers, TMS, EEG and more.
Plymouth is a vibrant coastal city in South-West England,
renowned for its stunning waterfront, rich maritime history, and
dynamic research community. Nestled between the scenic Devon and
Cornwall countryside, and the rugged beauty of Dartmoor National
Park, Plymouth offers an excellent quality of life, with
opportunities for outdoor activities and a welcoming community.
Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours
degree or a relevant Masters qualification in an appropriate
subject (e.g. Psychology, Neuroscience, Neuro-engineering, or
related fields). Experience with (or a strong interest to learn)
computer programming is highly desirable.