Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Neuroscience (PhD/MPhil/MD)

Programme Description

The Neuroscience division pursues a broad range of neurobiological research, spanning from the molecular to the behavioural levels. Research areas include: neuronal development; molecular and cellular neuroscience; neurophysiology; synaptic plasticity, learning and memory; and neurodegeneration and the ageing nervous system. We strive to integrate our research to provide a better understanding of the function of the healthy nervous system and the mechanisms leading to neurological disease states. A primary objective is to translate our knowledge into pharmacological and cell based therapies and improved clinical practise.

The Division is a member of the Cardiff Neuroscience Centre (CNC), which brings together research in neuroscience, psychology and psychiatric genetics and genomics. The Neuroscience Division also hosts the experimental MRI centre (EMRIC) and Brain Repair Group, and is a major participant in the Wellcome Trust 4 year PhD programme in Integrative Neuroscience.

Research Areas

• Neural differentiation of human and mouse stem cells
• Gene regulation in response to physiological stimuli
• Cellular and neuronal network mechanisms of sleep
• Mood stabilizers and the cellular basis of bipolar mood disorder
• Advanced optical techniques for imaging dendritic spines and calcium dynamics
• Ghrelin and the regulation of neuroendocrine processes
• Functional differentiation of adult peripheral sensory neurons
• Neural circuits and olfactory discrimination in humans
• Ion channel regulation by protein phosphorylation
• Intracellular signalling in learning and memory
• Mechanisms of neuronal plasticity in the cerebral cortex
• Neuro-imaging of plasticity and sensory processing
• Plasticity in the developing visual system
• Molecular, cellular and neural processes of long-term and emotional memory
• The effects of ageing on spinal autonomic circuitry
• Cellular, genetic and neuronal network mechanisms of epilepsy
• Ageing in the autonomic nervous system
• Cell based therapies for Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease

The department also has a strong research interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and autism.

For details of ongoing projects and collaborations, please visit the web pages of individual Neuroscience Division members: www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/research/neuroscience.

Entry Requirements

Suitable for graduates in Biological and Related Sciences.

A 1st or Upper 2nd class UK honours degree or equivalent is usually required; MSc/MPhil for PhD Programme.

Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. 6.5 IELTS).

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person

How to Apply

Please complete the online application form of Cardiff University. You can find the link at the bottom of this page. If you are applying for an advertised project, there is no requirement of submitting a research proposal, instead please submit a statement of support.

Note: Students must submit evidence of funding wherever possible, especially when funded by external sponsors.

Next intake: The University has four entry points for research degrees; 1st October, 1st January, 1st April or 1st July

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