PhD Scholarship for citizens of the People's Republic of China in Infant Neuroimaging or Computational Modelling (includes fees, stipend, airfare and health insurance)
How does the human mind develop? The FOUNDCOG 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 work in an exciting environment alongside a highly qualified and imaginative team, to 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
Training Opportunities
The lab has substantial expertise in infant neuroimaging, MRI methods, developmental cognitive neuroscience, programming, cloud computing and computational modelling and there will be many opportunities to develop these skills. There are also postgraduate courses available to all Trinity PhD students, in topics such as statistics or creativity. There are bi-weekly lab meetings that offer the opportunity to develop skills such as critical thinking and presentation skills, and an imaging interest group to develop knowledge of MRI. Members of the lab frequently attend training courses, to develop specialized knowledge such as brain anatomy. You will attend national and international conferences, to present your work and to develop a network of people in your area.
Supervision
The studentship will be supervised by Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN). The lab is committed to equality and diversity.
Funding
Following selection by the Cusack lab, the chosen applicant will enter the competition for the China Scholarship Council (CSC) – Trinity College Dublin Joint Scholarship Programme
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.
Application Procedure
Stage 1 deadline Jan 14, 2019.
Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line "PHD19C":
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack cusackrh [at] tcd.ie
Standard Duties and Responsibilities
- acquiring neuroimaging data in infants
- analysing neuroimaging data from infants
- computational modelling of learning
- advancing theories of infant development
- contributing to the growth of the methodological and intellectual expertise of the team
- outreach to patient advocacy groups, clinicians, and other interested parties
Person Specification
Qualifications
- an excellent academic record (ranked in top 10%)
- quantitative or mathematical mindset (highly desirable)
- cognitive neuroscience or developmental psychology (desirable)
- computational modelling or artificial intelligence (desirable)
- familiarity with artificial neural networks and deep learning (desirable)
- coding in Python (desirable)
- neuroimaging and neuroimaging methodology (desirable)
- testing of infants or children, or experience of pediatrics or neonatology (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
Training Opportunities
The lab has substantial expertise in infant neuroimaging, MRI methods, developmental cognitive neuroscience, programming, cloud computing and computational modelling and there will be many opportunities to develop these skills. There are also postgraduate courses available to all Trinity PhD students, in topics such as statistics or creativity. There are bi-weekly lab meetings that offer the opportunity to develop skills such as critical thinking and presentation skills, and an imaging interest group to develop knowledge of MRI. Members of the lab frequently attend training courses, to develop specialized knowledge such as brain anatomy. You will attend national and international conferences, to present your work and to develop a network of people in your area.
Supervision
The studentship will be supervised by Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN). The lab is committed to equality and diversity.
Funding
Following selection by the Cusack lab, the chosen applicant will enter the competition for the China Scholarship Council (CSC) – Trinity College Dublin Joint Scholarship Programme
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.
Application Procedure
Stage 1 deadline Jan 14, 2019.
Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line "PHD19C":
- a cover letter addressing why this project interests you and what you will bring to it
- why you will be able to make a strong application to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) – Trinity College Dublin Joint Scholarship Programme
- 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
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack cusackrh [at] tcd.ie