How does cerebral hypoperfusion affect white matter function? (2023)

What you get

• A stipend for 3 years (rising in line with UKRI studentship rates, currently £18,622 p.a.) to cover living costs.
• UK or International PhD fees and research and training costs are also covered.
• 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 £14.82 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

White matter damage is increasingly common as people age, correlates with cognitive impairment and is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and death. This damage is thought to be a consequence of cerebral hypoperfusion and hypoxia.

In this project you will investigate how hypoperfusion and hypoxia lead to white matter damage and interfere with these processes to try and prevent pathology.

You will use in vivo 2 photon imaging of calcium signals and blood vessels in various white matter cells (neurons, oligodendrocytes, endothelial cells) in awake mice to understand white matter physiology and how this is perturbed during hypoperfusion (modelled using bilateral carotid artery stenosis). Alongside this, you will measure brain blood flow, oxygenation and metabolism, to understand how changes in cell physiology relate to white matter energy supply.

You will work on this project together with an MRC-funded post doctoral research associate and technician. The team will work in close collaboration with Nicola Hamilton-Whitaker’s lab at Kings College London, who will be investigating the electrophysiological and structural underpinnings of changes in white matter function.

Doctoral Tutor role:

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 £14.82 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. Candidates who demonstrate suitability for, and express interest in, the Doctoral Tutor role will be preferred.

Eligibility

• This award will pay fees at the Home or the International rate.
• 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, Neuroscience or a related discipline.

• A level Maths and some experience in programming for data analysis are an advantage.

• 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 scholarship available

Deadline

How to apply

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/October 2023.
• In the 'Supervisor suggested by applicant' section of your application, please put ‘Catherine Hall’.
• In the 'Proposed source of funding' section of your application, please put ‘School of Psychology Doctoral 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. Your answer should not exceed 2 pages including references, be set at minimum 10-font type with margins a minimum of 1cm.
• Degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses.
• If you are currently studying for a degree, please include an interim transcript which shows the names of the courses you are taking and any marks to-date (a screen shot is fine).
• 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.

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 Catherine Hall at Catherine.hall@sussex.ac.uk

Timetable

Deadline: Wednesday 12 July 2023  (23:59 GMT)

Interview: expected date Tuesday 19 July 2023 - in person (online can be requested)