PhD Studentship in Neuroscience Pharmacy 2010

Applications are invited for this 42 month PhD studentship which is jointly funded by the MRC and the School of Pharmacy. The project involves a multidisciplinary approach to a relatively unexplored aspect of functional hippocampal microcircuitry, focussing on synaptic connections made by highly specialised inhibitory, GABAergic interneurones whose primary role is to control the inhibition generated by other classes of inhibitory neurones.

Their importance is indicated by our inability to predict the behaviour of other neurones without including their significant, but currently highly theoretical, contribution. We know something of the anatomy of this circuitry, but far less about the functional properties of its inputs, or the subtype(s) of GABAA receptors that mediate its output synapses. The project uses firmly established techniques, dual intracellular/whole cell recordings in vitro to study the properties of these specialised synapses and benzodiazepine site pharmacology to identify the receptors involved. Recorded cells will be filled with dye and their neurochemical content and detailed morphology assessed (immunofluorescence, Avidin-HRP-DAB). The skills acquired on this project will be in demand all over the world.

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree in Physiology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology or a cognate discipline. Due to funding restrictions, only HOME students are eligible for the full award. EU students are eligible for a tuition fees award only. Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 42 months. The stipend will be paid in line with MRC rates, including London allowance. The 2009/10 rate is £15,510. The 2010/11 rate is expected to be confirmed by the end of April 2010. The rate usually increases annually. The studentship will start in October 2010.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisors:

Name: Dr Afia Ali and Professor Alex Thomson
Department: Pharmacology
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7753 5856 / (0)20 7753 5899
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7753 5902
E-mail: afia.ali@pharmacy.ac.uk or alex.thomson@pharmacy.ac.uk
Web profile: http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/neuro.html

The application form is available online at:

http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/apply_phd.html

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, a letter explaining your interest in the project and the names and contact details, including email addresses, of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk.

The application closing date is 1 April 2010. The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.