Psychology Doctoral Research Studentship - Neural plasticity supporting perceptual learning of degraded speech (2022)

What you get

• A stipend for 3 years (rising in line with UKRI studentship rates, currently £15,609 p.a.) to cover living costs
• UK Home fees and research/training costs are also covered.
• International students may apply for this Home/UK studentship but must fund the difference between UK Home fees and International fees (approximately £18,500 per year). One option is self-funding.
• You will also be expected to take up Doctoral Tutoring during your 6 semesters (3 years) of funding. This work is paid at Grade 5.1 (currently £13.88 per hour), and covers contact time, preparation and marking. You will be expected to work approximately 165 hours per year, dependent on modules selected and availability.

 

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

This project aims to establish the neural plasticity supporting perceptual learning of degraded speech. The human brain has a remarkable capacity to adapt to severe loss or distortions of sensory input. Deaf listeners, for example, can understand speech through a cochlear implant despite receiving only highly degraded sensory input from the implant. How does the brain learn to adapt its knowledge of speech to make sense of novel degraded sounds?

The present PhD project will address this question in normal hearing listeners by presenting degraded speech to simulate a cochlear implant. We will then record brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) as listeners are trained to understand degraded speech over several days. By using state-of-the-art statistical methods to analyse the recorded brain signals, we can discover the neural mechanisms supporting perceptual learning.

The PhD student will join the Auditory Cognition Group and have the opportunity to interact with vibrant Sussex research communities that include (1) the Centre for Sensory Neuroscience and Computation, bringing together neuroscientists and modelers interested in sensory systems, and (2) neuroimaging researchers centred around the Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre. They will also have the opportunity to interact with project collaborator, Dr. Edmund Lalor (University of Rochester, USA).

 

Doctoral Tutor role: 

Doctoral Tutors will begin teaching in the second term of their studies. You will be encouraged to study for a formal teaching accreditation (Associate of the Higher Education Academy), including enrolling on a ‘starting to teach’ module in the first term before they begin teaching. Candidates who demonstrate suitability for, and express interest in, the additional Doctoral Tutor role will be preferred. 

 

Eligibility

• This award will only pay fees at the Home/UK rate. International students may apply but must fund the difference between the Home fees and International Fees (this fee difference is currently £18,500 per year).
• Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a  Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Master’s degree in Psychology or other relevant discipline (e.g. Neuroscience, Engineering, Computer Science).
• Previous experience of computer programming, functional brain imaging (EEG, fMRI) or signal processing is desirable.
• Only full-time students can be accepted.
• The University of Sussex believes that the diversity of its staff and student community is fundamental to creative thinking, pedagogic innovation, intellectual challenge, and the interdisciplinary approach to research and learning. We celebrate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background. 

Number of scholarships available

one

Deadline

4 April 2022 23:59

How to apply

• Please read our Psychology PhD FAQS before you start your application.
• Please submit your application online for 'PhD in Psychology' for entry in September 2022.

• In the 'Supervisor suggested by applicant' section of your application, put 'Ediz Sohoglu'.
• In the 'Proposed source of funding' section of your application, please put 'Psychology Doctoral Research Studentship'. 

Candidates should provide: 

• A research proposal that outlines your knowledge of the research area, hypotheses that could be addressed in your PhD, and an outline of potential methods. The research proposal should be approximately 1,000 to 1,500 words in length and not exceed 3 pages, including references. It should be set at a minimum of 10 font type with margins a minimum of 1cm. Applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor Dr. Ediz Sohoglu (E.Sohoglu@sussex.ac.uk) for more information about the project before writing their proposal.
• Current degree transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses. 
• Two academic references.
• An up-to-date CV.
• A document summarising any teaching experience you have and illustrating your suitability for a Doctoral Tutor role. 
• International students who are liable to pay overseas fees should also upload a document explaining how you will cover the difference between home and overseas fees. This fee difference is approximately £18,500 per year for 3 years.

Contact us

For queries with respect to the application process: psychologyphd-enquiries@sussex.ac.uk 

To discuss the details of your research interests further, please contact Dr Ediz Sohoglu:E.Sohoglu@sussex.ac.uk)

 

Timetable

Deadline: Monday 4 April 2022 (23:59)

Interviews (on Zoom): end of April 2022