PhD mutlidisciplinary studentship University of Southampton, UK

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June 30, 2008

A PhD mutlidisciplinary studentship is available in the School of
Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. The project will use a
combination of bioinformatics and neuroscience to investigate the affects
of alcohol on nematodes from an evolutionary perspective. Details below:BACKGROUND. There is an urgent need to better understand the biological
mechanism that underpins addiction. Alcohol is recognised amongst the
most harmful addictive drugs and, despite its simple structure, acts
through complex interactions between molecular, cellular and systems
level targets. This studentship will investigate the acute and chronic
impact of ethanol through use of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans,
as a model organism. Many of the mammalian molecular and cellular targets
implicated in the action of alcohol are conserved in this organism and we
have established a range of relevant behavioural and electrophysiological
assays. This project will build a database of ethanol and its targets
which, using evolutionary bioinformatics, will be used to predict key
molecular targets of ethanol action for experimental investigation in
C. elegans. Mutants lacking the ethanol target will be screened for
modified response to acute or chronic ethanol treatment, defining in
teractions and providing insight into neural substrate of ethanol’s
action, which can then be modelled or directly applied in the more complex
organization that underlie alcohol (and likely other addictive drugs)
in the mammalian brain.

TRAINING. The work recognises that the modern neuroscientist requires
broad exposure to several sub-disciplines. The Studentship will actively
encourage the acquisition of such skills and provides an opportunity to
develop skills at the interface between bioinformatics and experimental
biology. Further, the studentship will be supported by the School of
Biological Sciences Graduate School, which has a broad portfolio of
general and specialised training required in the modern workplace.

FUNDING. The Gerald Kerkutt Charitable Trust provides funding for
3/4 years and provides opportunity to apply for support for further
specialist training consummate with the projects requirement for a broad
and integrative training. This is a fully funded studentship with a
student stipend set at the same level as a research council studentship
(currently ?12,940 per annum).

REQUIREMENTS. Applicants should be UK/EU students with a degree of
2-1 or higher in a relevant discipline (e.g. Neuroscience / Physiology/
Pharmacology/ Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology / Genetics) and a curiosity
and enthusiasm for research. Laboratory experience (e.g. final year
project) is essential, with a strong preference for some experience of
neuroscience. The candidate must also have an interest in, and aptitude
for, computers.

CONTACT. Interested students should contact Dr Richard Edwards
(r.edwards@soton.ac.uk), Professor Lindy Holden-Dye (lmhd@soton.ac.uk) or
Dr Vincent O’Connor (voconno@soton.ac.uk). We will be looking to interview
and appoint to the position by mid July to start in October 2008.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday July 7th 2008. Interested and motivated
applicants should apply through the University of Southampton School of
Biological Sciences graduate entry (email: sbsgradi@soton.ac.uk)

STARTING DATE: October 1st 2008.

Scholarship Tags: mutlidisciplinary, PhD, Studentship, UK, University of Southampton