Computational neurophenomenology is an emerging approach in consciousness science that aims to explain phenomenological, experiential properties of conscious experience in terms of computational models that have testable neurophysiological implications. We are now seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a team that is developing and applying this approach.  

You will join the internationally-leading Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science as part of a European Research Council project – CONSCIOUS – which is focused on computational neurophenomenology. The project is flexible within this overall remit, though it will likely involve models/experiments inspired by the notion that perceptual experiences – of the world and of the self – are understood as arising from the brain’s ‘best guesses’ of the causes of its sensory inputs.  

Potential specific research projects include (i) exploiting the ‘uniformity illusion’ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28078975/) in combination with neuroimaging (e.g., laminar fMRI at 7T and/or MEG) to test the idea that conscious contents are conveyed by ‘top-down’ signalling in visual cortex and (ii) developing and testing novel experimental paradigms to relate our new hybrid predictive coding model to rapid ‘gist’ perception (https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011280). A very different potential focus could be on exploring the idea that consciousness and life have an explanatory and perhaps obligatory connection (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30224233/).  

You will have a background in psychology, neuroscience, computer science and AI, and/or philosophy as appropriate. The position will involve collaborative work within the Sussex team, as well as – depending on the project – with external collaborators. Laminar imaging and MEG will be carried out in collaboration with Prof Lars Muckli (University of Glasgow) and Prof Floris de Lange (Donders Institute) respectively. You will be expected to show initiative in developing the research, and to take on some administrative responsibilities regarding the CONSCIOUS project.   

The Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS) is 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). The group has strong collaborative links beyond Sussex, including leading consciousness researchers both nationally and internationally.

This scholarship is available to UK, EU and overseas applicants. 

Eligible candidates will have an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related field. 

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 applicants from all backgrounds.

Please clearly state on your application that you are applying for the Computational Neurophenomenology of Predictive Perception 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.