- Students
- Courses
- Society
- PhD applications
- Systems Neuroscience PhDs
**SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE PhD - now CLOSED for applications**
Applying for a PhD position
I receive many enquiries about how to make an application, and so I hope the following might be of some help, but do please get in touch if you have further questions.
General advice and information on applications and studentships can be found in the postgraduate prospectus.
It is worth looking to see if there are any PhD positions currently advertised on the BN noticeboard. However, please note that the noticeboard does not advertise ALL positions - it is always worth making enquiries with individual departments (see below).
Departments
To apply for PhD positions it is best to contact the individual department and find out what their procedure is for handling applications. Each department varies in how they go about interviews, places available etc. There is a graduate tutor or secretary who will be able to provide you with information. They may have a list of PhD projects available in the department that you can then look through to see if any are in your field of interest.
Departments and groups that offer neuroscience PhDs in Bristol include
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- COGNIT
- Physiology and Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Psychopharmacology
- Biological Sciences
- Experimental Psychology
- The Laboratories of Integrative Neurosciences and Endocrinology (LINE)
You can find all their contact details here.
Contacting the group leader
It may also be a good idea to approach an individual group leader.
If you find a lab that you are particularly interested in, then you could write and / or email them directly. It can be good to show your interest and enthusiasm for the work that they do. The researcher may be able to offer a place, although ultimately all applications will still go via the department.
A good way to find names would be to use the search on the BN site. For instance, you could put in 'neurodegeneration' or 'Alzheimer's' if these are topics you wish to research.
Breadth of Neuroscience research
Do have a good look around at what all groups are doing. When it comes to a PhD in neuroscience, there are a lot of projects to choose from.
Most neuroscience in Anatomy is within the MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity. There are additional research groups working in the area of neuroendocrinology - read about their interests on the Anatomy website.
Neuroscience is particularly strong in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. A broad range of neuroscience projects are on offer, from live imaging cell biology, to complex system-based models of cardiorespiratory control and pain. Pharmacological research includes neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels and intracellular signalling pathways, using a variety of techniques such as immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology. Check the Physiology and Pharmacology website and contact potential supervisors directly.
Experimental Psychology focuses on the biological basis of psychological phenomena, i.e. how tasks such as visual perception are performed by the brain and nervous system, and in which areas.
In LINE and the Psychopharmacology Unit they work on stress, addiction, drug abuse, depression - and more - going all the way from 'test-tube' pharmacology to human brain imaging and clinical trials.
The Departments of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Biological Sciences all have groups working in neuroscience fields.
Find departmental contact details here.
MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity
Almost all the neuroscience in the Anatomy department is within the MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity. For the Anatomy department you should therefore send your CV and cover letter to Professor Jeremy Henley, who deals with PhD applications to the MRC Centre.
MRC Systems Neuroscience 4 year PhD program
Funded by an MRC Capacity Building Studentship award to carry out in vivo systems neuroscience in the world-leading research labs at the University of Bristol, these PhD positions represent a superlative opportunity to get a flying start in a neuroscience career. Follow link left or here for full info.
I hope that you are successful in your search for a PhD position. Good luck!