PhD position opening, University of Sheffield

A PhD position is available in the groups of Machine Learning & Computational Biology, Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, under the supervision of Dr Vasilaki. The successful candidate will work in the field of Spiking Neural Networks and Synaptic Plasticity.
This position is part of a larger European consortium, NAMASEN (http://www.namasen.net) with the participation of 12 academic and industrial partners. Details about the specific PhD position (Early Stage Researcher) can be found in the documentation of the NAMASEN web site. The position comes with very competitive salary and travel money, as well as the possibility of extended visits to the participating groups.

Starting Date: 1st May 2012.

Candidate Profile
Applicants should have the equivalent of a UK 1st class/2.1 degree or Masters in a relevant discipline (mathematics, physics, computer science or engineering). They should be well motivated to do a PhD in the field of Computational Neuroscience and to interact with the interdisciplinary, multinational NAMASEN consortium.

Eligibility criteria
At the start of their fellowship, researchers may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in UK for more than 12 months, during the 3 years immediately prior to the start date of his/her appointment. In addition, candidates must NOT have worked in a research position of received research training for more than 4 years from the date obtained their undergraduate degree.

Why study at Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities. It was ranked 40th in the world’s top 100 universities by the Global University Ranking Study 2009, and is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom and Europe according to The Good University Guide. In 2011, QS World University Rankings placed Sheffield as the 72nd university worldwide and THE World University rankings as 101st. The university has produced five Nobel Prize winners so far.
The city of Sheffield is well connected with Manchester International Airport (1h15) and to London St Pancras (2h07). The Peak District, the first and largest of Britain’s National Parks, is just five miles from Sheffield city centre.

How to apply
Application process: Send by email to Dr Vasilaki a motivation letter (including your reasons for applying to this specific PhD position), a full CV, copies of transcripts and 2 to 3 names of references. Candidates that match the required profile will be continuously interviewed until the position is filled.

— Dr Eleni Vasilaki, Lecturer
Web: www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/~eleni