PhD Scholarship in Neuroimaging of Neonatal Brain Injury (including fees, stipend and travel for 4 years)
How does the human mind develop, and how is this disrupted by brain injury? This project aims to address this question by using neuroimaging of infants, in their critical first year after birth, to capture the development of the brain and its functions. We will interpret the results by comparing them to computational models of learning from artificial intelligence. In addition to characterising the development of the human mind, we aim to understand how it is disrupted by brain injury and to produce new diagnostic tools for neonatologists. In this post, you will acquire and analyse neuroimaging data from infants, and compare the results to computational models of learning from artificial intelligence.
Standard Duties and Responsibilities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Supervision
The studentship will be supervised by Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN) and Professor Eleanor Molloy (Paediatrics). It will also involve collaboration with the team at the SFI INFANT Centre, at University College Cork.
Funding
This project is funded by a grant from the Science Foundation Ireland INFANT Centre
TCIN and Trinity College
Our group is located within the prestigious interdisciplinary Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN). TCIN is located at Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. Trinity was founded in 1592 and is ranked as Ireland’s No.1 University in the QS World University Ranking, THE World University Ranking and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities, and was ranked 78th in the world and 27th in Europe in the 2015/2016 QS World University Ranking, across all indicators.
Application Procedure
If you are attending one the following conferences in 2018, please apply at least a week before the start of the conference and send an email to Rhodri.
Organisation for Human Brain Mapping / International Congress on Infant Studies / Gordon Research Conference on the Neurobiology of Cognition
Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line "PHD18C":
Selection will begin on June 4, 2018 and the position will remain open until filled.
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack cusackrh [at] tcd.ie
Standard Duties and Responsibilities
- acquiring neuroimaging data in infants that have had an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit
- analysing neuroimaging data from infants
- advancing theories of infant development and brain injury
- identifying methods with new diagnostic potential for neonatologists
- contributing to the growth of the methodological and intellectual expertise of the team
- outreach to patient advocacy groups, clinicians, and other interested parties
- liaising with collaborators at the SFI INFANT Centre at University College Cork.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- a strong undergraduate degree or Masters in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, or a relevant field (e.g., first or upper second for Irish or UK applicants; GPA 3.3+ for US applicants)
- pediatrics, neonatology, cognitive neuroscience or developmental psychology (highly desirable)
- neuroimaging and neuroimaging methodology (desirable)
- testing of infants or children (desirable)
- computer programming (desirable)
- strong critical thinking and good judgement
- excellent organisation and time management
- the ability to work thoroughly through tasks until they are completed, even if they turn out to be more difficult than you first expected
- the ability to write clearly and concisely
- enthusiasm and aptitude to acquire expertise in diverse areas of the project
- enthusiasm and aptitude to share expertise with other team members
- enthusiasm for communication with a broader audience
- a desire to develop your transversal and cross-sectoral skills
Supervision
The studentship will be supervised by Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN) and Professor Eleanor Molloy (Paediatrics). It will also involve collaboration with the team at the SFI INFANT Centre, at University College Cork.
Funding
This project is funded by a grant from the Science Foundation Ireland INFANT Centre
TCIN and Trinity College
Our group is located within the prestigious interdisciplinary Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN). TCIN is located at Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. Trinity was founded in 1592 and is ranked as Ireland’s No.1 University in the QS World University Ranking, THE World University Ranking and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities, and was ranked 78th in the world and 27th in Europe in the 2015/2016 QS World University Ranking, across all indicators.
Application Procedure
If you are attending one the following conferences in 2018, please apply at least a week before the start of the conference and send an email to Rhodri.
Organisation for Human Brain Mapping / International Congress on Infant Studies / Gordon Research Conference on the Neurobiology of Cognition
Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line "PHD18C":
- a cover letter addressing why this project interests you and what you will bring to it
- a full curriculum vitae
- the names and email addresses of two referees
- your undergraduate grades/transcripts (unofficial fine at this stage)
- links to any other supporting media, such as code repositories, preprints, articles in the media, or blogs
Selection will begin on June 4, 2018 and the position will remain open until filled.
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack cusackrh [at] tcd.ie