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School of Life and Health Sciences
Fully-funded BBSRC Industrial Case PhD Studentship (Full-Time)
Exploring the role of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems on synchronized
network driven oscillatory activity in cortical - basal ganglia circuits
Ian Stanford (Aston University), Michael O’Neill (Eli Lilly) and Keith Wafford (Eli Lilly)
Applications are invited from ambitious, self-motivated scientists to study neuronal network oscillatory activity
using electrophysiological recording techniques. This opportunity is open to UK and EU students who have
at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology or a
related subject.
Parkinson’s disease involves a loss of the dopamine-containing neurons of the substantia nigra resulting in
akinesia/bradykinesia, rigidity and (resting) tremor. These symptoms appear to be coincident with the loss of
independent neuronal activity in both the cortex and the basal ganglia. Thus, in the presence of normal
dopamine drive, the activity of basal ganglia neurons is largely desynchronised. However, in idiopathic
Parkinson’s disease and its experimental models, neurons of the primary motor cortex (M1), external globus
pallidus (GP) and subthalamic nucleus (STN), loose their independence and show increases in burst firing
and synchronization of activity at beta (15-30 Hz) frequency. The mechanism by which synchronous bursting
activity arises in BG circuitry is still debated. In this study we will use both in vitro and in vivo techniques in
order to provide a mechanistic insight by which dopamine-depletion induces oscillatory activity in the M1STN-GP network and thus may provide indicators for therapeutic approaches to extra-pyramidal motor
disorders. The project will provide experience multiple techniques at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical
research and development, with 3 to 6 months of the project being spent at Eli Lilly UK.
Aston University’s School of Life and Health Sciences (LHS) conducts excellent research and was ranked
3rd out of 63 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions and Studies in the
last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Additional information about research in the School can be
found at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/. Informal enquiries to Dr Ian Stanford (E-mail:
[email protected]).
Financial Support:
UK students (including EU nationals who have been continuously resident in the UK for the last 3 years) will
receive full tuition fees. For UK Students only - a stipend will be provided at the current BBSRC rate with
annual increments and an additional CASE contribution of £3000 p.a. Overseas students are not eligible
for funding. To check further into eligibility, please refer to the BBSRC Website.
Application Requirements:
 Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either First Class or Upper
Second Class or hold a Masters Degree (MSc/MRes) in a relevant discipline.
 EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a
minimum score of 620 (260 minimum in computer test) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of
6.5 in each section and an overall band of 7.0.
 The Studentship is funded for 4 years, subject to a satisfactory progress review at the end of the first
year, and with submission by 4 years is required. The anticipated Registration date is 1st October
2012.
 Enquiries should be addressed to Dr Ian Stanford (E-mail: [email protected] Or Telephone:
021 204 3000 - extn 4015).
 To apply please complete the on-line application form at
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/
and please quote the Reference ‘CASE-Stanford’ on all applications.
 The Closing Date for applications is: Monday 16th April 2012.