Ph.D. Programme
4 year PhD Research and Training Programme in Neuroscience
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) is offering a full time 4-year Integrated PhD Research and Training Programme in Neuroscience funded by the Health Research Board. We are seeking high-quality applicants from the life sciences (e.g. genetics, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology and microbiology) and cognate disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry) for this multidisciplinary programme in neuroscience. Applications should be made in the form of detailed CV, personal statement and the names of at least two academic referees to Ms Aida Gutkauskaite, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Lloyd Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2 (e-mail: gatkausa@tcd.ie). The closing date for applications is 23 May 2008, and candidates should be available for interview in mid June 2008. Shortlisted candidates will be required to make a short presentation based on their final year project or other relevant research work.
Background
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) is an interdisciplinary research and teaching institute whose mission is captured in the phrase ‘from molecules to mind’, emphasising a vision stretching across differing levels of investigation of brain function. TCIN was established with a view to initiating a truly interdisciplinary programme of research where world-class scientists from many disciplines collaborate to address the most pressing problems of our time - how to foster and maintain the best functioning of the human brain in health and disease. The philosophy of TCIN dictates that the research will cross traditionally distinct academic boundaries focusing on cutting edge technologies.
In the first year of this programme, students will attend courses in aspects of Neuroscience but their primary focus will be research-oriented and they will undertake 3 laboratory rotations (12 weeks in duration) chosen from 25 options. At the end of the first year, students will choose their subject for the following 3 years of their PhD; approximately 25 options will be offered.
http://www.tcd.ie/Neuroscience/
M.Sc. in Neuroscience
Background
Neuroscience is a discipline concerned with the scientific study of the nervous system in health and disease. Research in the neurosciences is of considerable clinical impact considering the debilitating and costly effects of neurological and psychiatric disease. In this regard, a major goal of modern neuroscience research is to elucidate the underlying causes (genetic or environmental) of major brain diseases, and to produce more effective treatments for major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, motor neurone disease and epilepsy. Improved treatment strategies for brain disorders relies entirely on increased understanding gained from research which integrates molecular, cellular and clinical aspects of disease. In this regard it is clear that interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to understand the complex processes which underlie brain function in health and disease. This interdisciplinary philosophy is adopted in the delivery of our M.Sc. in Neuroscience, which is underpinned by the diverse research expertise within Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN).
Course Details
This one-year M.Sc. course aims to provide a multidisciplinary training in the neurosciences, in topics ranging from molecular to behavioural. The course is ideal for students wishing to extend their specialised knowledge, and for those wishing to convert from their original degree discipline. The programme will equip participants with the skills necessary to progress into a career in biomedical, pharmaceutical or neuropsychological research.
Instruction for the course consists of approximately 200 contact hours over two academic Terms to include lectures, laboratory practical sessions, journal club workshops and student-based seminars. Modules are assessed by a mixture of in course assessment and written examinations.
Specialist modules covered include:
- Form and Function of the Nervous System
- Biochmeical Basis of Neuropharmacology
- Neuropharmacology & Drug development
- Advanced Neuroimmunology
- Neuroimaging Technology
- Neural Engineering
- Research Skills
- Current Topics and Techniques in Neuroscience
- Experimental Neuroscience
The third Term consists of a research project on some novel aspect of Neuroscience. Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience is a dynamic research environment with research spanning molecular/cellular neuroscience to clinical/translational neuroscience. Projects across these research areas may be undertaken in consultation with an expert supervisor. For students interested in a project in cellular/molecular neuroscience a range of cellular techniques such as tissue culture, immunocytochemistry, western immunobloting and immunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy, Immunoassays, flow cytometry, Real-time PCR, and high performance liquid chromatography are available. In addition, some projects will involve assessing behavioural, electrophysiological and neurochemical endpoints using in vivo models of neurological and psychiatric disease. For those with an interest in experimentation on human subjects, projects will be offered utilizing techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiological recording and neurocognitive testing.
Term dates for 2008/2009
Michaelmas Term: 14th September - 14th December 2009.
Hilary Term: 18th January - 5th April 2010
Trinity Term: 12th April – 10th August 2010
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme the participants will:
Understand the structure and function of the nervous system from “molecule to mind”.
Understand the biological basis of a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders
Have a knowledge of treatment strategies for psychiatric and neurological disorders
Have knowledge of key techniques used to answer research questions in the neurosciences.
Have acquired practical laboratory skills, experience in troubleshooting, and expertise in selected methodologies used to study nervous system function to facilitate a research or research-related career.
Have acquired detailed knowledge and critical understanding of selected areas of neuroscience through independent study and the laboratory research projects.
Have acquired and developed transferable skills in:
(a) Written and verbal communication
(b) Data analysis, statistics and presentation
(c) Critical evaluation of published information
(d) Ability to work in collaboration with others
(e) Organizational ability.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission, applicants will be expected to hold a good degree in Biological Sciences, Psychology, Medicine or Allied Health Sciences.
Applications are submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) (see: www.pac.ie), and the closing date for receipt of applications is June 1st 2009.
Course director: Prof. Kumlesh K. Dev
Preliminary enquiries may be directed to:
Ms. Gillian Roddie
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience,
Lloyd Institute,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353-1-896 4195
Fax: +353-1-896 3183
E-mail: mscneuro@tcd.ie
Web: www.tcd.ie/neuroscience/
Fees
Fees for the 2009/2010 academic year are €8,750 for EU applicants, and €17,500 for non-EU applicants.
Admission to the course is based on the applicant's academic record, and our perception of their ability to benefit from the course. Short-listed candidates may be invited for interview in early July. Selected applicants are notified by early August.
Current Vacancies
PhD Studentship
Long-term outcomes following ECT for Depression
Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience and Dept of Psychiatry
St Patrick’s University Hospital
Trinity College Dublin
Applications are invited for a three year PhD studentship to work on neuropsychological aspects of severe depression and treatment as part of a large randomised controlled trial of different forms of electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression. The EFFECT-Dep Trial (ISRCTN23577151) is supported by a Health Research Board Translational Research Award to a collaborative group based in Trinity College and University College Dublin. The work will involve patient recruitment, detailed clinical and neuropsychological assessment, plus patient follow-up. The successful applicants will join a collaborative group of neuroscientists studying the neurobiology of mood disorders (http://www.medicine.tcd.ie/psychiatry/research/projects/depression-neurobiology.php).
The position will be based in the Dept of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin at St Patrick’s University Hospital and TCIN. Appointed candidates will report to Prof Declan McLoughlin. A first or upper second class degree in psychology or a related discipline is required.
Further details about TCIN are available from www.neuroscience.tcd.ie. Applications, including a CV with the names and email addresses of three referees, should be sent to Ms. Aida Gutkauskaite, TCIN, Lloyd Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2. (email: gatkausa@tcd.ie). Please quote reference number EFFECT-Dep 06 in all correspondence. Informal enquiries can be made to d.mcloughlin@tcd.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 24th July 2009 at 12 noon.
Post-graduate studentship available from October 2009
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience,
Department of Physiology
Trinity College,
Dublin 2
Applications are welcome from graduates in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Physiology or a related discipline to undertake a PhD in Neuroscience. This Health Research Board-funded project is designed to analyse mechanisms by which microglial activation can be modulated and the focus is on manipulating the activation of the CD200 receptor. A multidisciplinary approach will be utilized and therefore the successful candidate will be required to learn a variety of techniques including MRI.
The successful applicant will join a group of 12 post-doctoral fellows and post-graduate students in a dynamic and friendly laboratory.
Further details about TCIN are available from www.neuroscience.tcd.ie. Applications, including a CV with the names and email addresses of two referees, should be sent to Professor Marina Lynch (lynchma@tcd.ie).
Closing date for applications 15th July 2009
Contact: Professor Marina Lynch
Email: lynchma@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 6081770