Perceptual diversity captures the idea that we each experience the world – and the self – in a unique way. Unlike the concept of ‘neurodiversity’, which has tended to become associated with specific ‘neurodivergent’ conditions, such as autism, perceptual diversity emphasises that considerable experiential variation likely exists even within the so-called ‘neurotypical’ range (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/03/the-big-idea-do-we-all-experience-the-world-in-the-same-way).  

Recently, in a large-scale collaboration, we collected a unique dataset characterising perceptual diversity in a large sample. The Perception Census reached over 35,000 people, each of whom completed a range of perceptual tasks ranging from psychophysical experiments to questionnaires (https://perceptioncensus.dreamachine.world/). This dataset represents a significant extension beyond typical psychological studies of individual differences in perception, which typically focus on single (or a small number) of aspects of perception, in smaller samples.  

We are now seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a team driving forward our investigations of perceptual diversity, using the Perception Census dataset as a starting point. The project will start with further analyses of the Census dataset aimed at understanding the factors and mechanisms underlying the observed patterns of diversity, which in turn will involve developing and testing novel hypotheses about these factors in lab-based psychophysical and imaging experiments.   

Beyond this, there may be opportunities to develop computational models of perceptual diversity, and/or to potentially adapt The Perception Census to new contexts in collaboration with other research groups. These new contexts could include (i) different languages, to shed light on cultural/linguistic variation in perceptual experience, (ii) twin studies, to shed light on genetic contributions to perceptual diversity, among others.   

You will join the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS),an internationally prominent research group in consciousness science and one of the University’s Centres of Excellence.  Our core mission is to advance the scientific understanding of consciousness and to use the insights from this research for the benefit of society, medicine, and technology. Based in our Informatics lab, you will be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team led by Professor Anil Seth, which spans the departments of Informatics, Philosophy, Psychology and BSMS, and which enjoys a wide range of experimental and computational facilities (including EEG/TMS/fMRI/VR). The group has strong collaborative links beyond Sussex, including leading consciousness researchers both nationally and internationally. 

Youwill be part of a new team funded by lead supervisor Professor Seth’s European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Investigatorgrant for project ‘CONSCIOUS’on the topic of computational neurophenomenology.You will have a background in experimental psychology or a related field, have strong statistical/mathematical skills, and ideally bring experience in computational modelling. The position will involve collaborative work within the Sussex team, as well as with external collaborators, including Professor Fiona Macpherson at the University of Glasgow. You will be expected to show initiative in developing the research (including coming up with novel testable hypotheses), and to take on some administrative responsibilities regarding the wider Perception Census project, which was created as part of the Dreamachine project (https://dreamachine.world/) in collaboration with Collective Act Limited. 

Please clearly state on your application that you are applying for the Predictors and Consequences of Perceptual Diversity scholarship under the supervision of Anil Seth.

Please ensure you application includes each of the following: 

• A research proposal. For guidance on preparing your proposal, please see here.
  
• A personal statement. 
• Your CV.
• Degree certificates and transcripts. 
• 2 references, including a minimum of 1 from any institution studied at within the last 5 years.
• If your first language is not English you will need to demonstrate that you meet the University’s English language requirements, see here for details of our accepted documentation.