A brief introduction
The Unit hosts PhD students for research projects aligned to empirical neuroscience, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and experimental medicine with a focus on neurological and psychiatric brain conditions. We aim to empower future generations of researchers, technologists and clinicians to draw on their learning and experience of transdisciplinary research to tackle important unmet challenges in discovery and translational neuroscience. We offer exceptional opportunities for students wishing to pursue neuroscience research across species at multiple scales and within an in vivo context.
PhD students at the Unit can choose from a diverse and complementary set of research projects that leverage a broad array of concepts and approaches. Our students benefit from the guidance of at least two supervisors and feedback from the Unit’s outstanding research community. Students have ample opportunity to further their knowledge, skills and career development through events and initiatives organised by the Unit and our host department, the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Students are also encouraged to make the most of the wider intellectual environment at the University of Oxford. We welcome students from around the world.
Techniques & Approaches
The Unit’s collective goal is to understand and exploit the moment-to-moment interactions of networks of neurons that are critical for brain function and behaviour. Our PhD students make important contributions towards achieving this goal and typically use a focused set of multidisciplinary research techniques. However, we provide structured opportunities for knowledge transfer and exchange so that students can become familiar with the full range of research approaches taken within the Unit. These include:
- Behavioural testing and quantification.
- Advanced signals analysis, including statistical analytical techniques, mathematical modelling, and machine learning.
- Brain stimulation using devices delivering sensory, optical, electrical, magnetic or acoustic stimuli.
- Electrophysiological and optical monitoring of specific cell types and neurotransmitter systems in the brain.
- Molecular and structural definitions of neuronal networks.
- Computational modelling.
- Neurotechnology development (hardware, software, control algorithms).
ArchT-GFP–expressing neurons in the pyramidal cell layer of mouse hippocampus. From: Recoding a cocaine-place memory engram to a neutral engram in the hippocampus. Trouche S. et al. Nat Neurosci. 2016 Apr;19(4):564-7.
The Unit has provided three key ingredients to kickstart my scientific career: a constant source of inspiration, the freedom to explore my ideas, and frequent opportunities for feedback.”
Ben and Flavie demonstrate how electricity in the muscles of the arm can be detected and used to control a robot claw, during a presentation to primary school children.
Training & Career Development
The Unit fosters a training and career development environment that is inclusive, accessible, and equitable, where individuals with diverse backgrounds can flourish. We support our PhD students to skill-up and pursue their chosen career paths during and after their time at the Unit. Training includes work-based learning ‘on-the-job’, formal training courses, and a wide variety of professional activities that can be individually tailored. We provide each Unit student with opportunities to develop a personalised training and development programme that meets their needs and prepares them for their next career steps, whether they foresee those being in academia, industry, clinical practice or elsewhere.
Our PhD students benefit from the broad range of training and career development opportunities offered by the Unit as well as those made available by the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the wider university, and the student’s own college. The Unit organises research seminars and “ToolBox Talks” on a regular basis, together with an annual Research Day that brings the whole Unit community together to share new and exciting research in a collegiate atmosphere. The Unit also offers bespoke training in areas such as Open Research, patient and public involvement/engagement in research, responsible research and innovation, environmentally sustainable research, and the translation and commercialisation of research.
Previous students who completed their PhD in the Unit have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of job roles. The challenging yet rewarding research in the Unit is a great start to your career and I would definitely recommend working here!”
Local field potential signal recorded from a patient with a deep brain stimulation electrode, showing a burst of beta-frequency oscillatory activity (top) and adaptive deep brain stimulation being triggered and reducing the length of another beta burst (bottom).
Applications & Funding
The Unit is a division of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and most of our PhD students undertake studies for a DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences. The DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences course webpage includes guidance on the PhD application process and entry requirements, information about potential costs, and advice for Home and Overseas students.
We strongly recommend that prospective PhD students contact potential supervisors at the Unit (e.g. a Group Leader) well in advance of submitting a formal application to the university. Contacting potential supervisors will help you find out more about the application process and the research projects that can be hosted at the Unit. We look forward to hearing from you.
We host PhD studentships funded by a variety of sources, including the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Restorative Neural Dynamics, the MRC industrial Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering (iCASE) studentships scheme, and departmental scholarships and other doctoral training programmes at the University of Oxford. Students with their own independent funding will also be considered.
Hippocampal theta oscillations (white) with associated faster rhythms (rainbow colours). From: Lopes-Dos-Santos V. et eal. Parsing Hippocampal Theta Oscillations by Nested Spectral Components during Spatial Exploration and Memory-Guided Behavior. 2018. Neuron, 100(4):940–952.