PhD Studentship in the Institute of Neuroscience: Novel ways of treating visual hallucinations in people with Macular Degeneration

Postgraduate Opportunities

Newcastle University

Reference code: IN082
Closing date: 1 April 2016
Supervisors:
Dr J Taylor, Institute of Neuroscience
Mr D Collerton, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Mr M Clarke, Institute of Neuroscience
Sponsor: Randerson Foundation
Duration of the award: 3 October 2016 for the 3 years
Person Specification
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to the behavioural sciences, including: psychology, biological and neuroscience. A further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous. Other selection factors include experience in working with tDCS, or other neurophysiological approaches as well as experience in clinical studies.
The award is available to UK/EU and international applicants. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5, or equivalent.
Project Description
Interested in a PhD that is looking to develop new ways to treat visual hallucinations?
Nearly 50% of people who develop macular degeneration experience visual hallucinations, a condition which is typically known as Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS). For around a third of people with CBS, the hallucinations are highly disturbing and impact on their day to day function. However, there is limited evidence on how these hallucinations can be treated.
Aim: We are seeking to develop an alternative treatment to giving drugs. By using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) we are aiming to normalise over-activity in the visual system which we think is a major contributor to why people with CBS experience hallucinations.
Training opportunities: The proposal will involve travel to a collaborator’s lab in Institute of Psychiatry, London where you will learn new skills to bring back to Newcastle (Dr Ffytche; a world-leading expert in CBS). In Newcastle, the combination of supervisory expertise will mean that you will have opportunity to engage with clinical ophthalmological services (Clarke) as well as receive training in neurophysiological approaches (Taylor) and neuropsychological assessments (Collerton).

Funding information

Funding applies to:

EU applicants (including UK)

Funding notes:

100% of UK/EU tuition fees paid and annual living expenses of £14,296. Also includes additional funding to cover research costs and travel (conferences and collaborator visits). Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between the UK/EU fees and international fees.

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

For further details, please email Dr John-Paul Taylor: john-paul.taylor@ncl.ac.uk

Administrative contact and how to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’.
Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
- insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
- select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Neuroscience’ as the programme of study
- insert the studentship code IN082 in the studentship/partnership reference field
- attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the studentship reference code IN082 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
- attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Application deadline:

1 April 2016