阿斯顿大学PhD position in Investigating Move-to-Hold Integration in Dystonia: A Behavioural and Neuroimaging Study申请条件要求-申请方
主办方
阿斯顿大学
PhD直招介绍
About the Project
Project Summary
Dystonia causes disabling muscle contractions and abnormal postures. This PhD will use robotics (vBOT) and advanced brain imaging (EEG, OPM MEG) at Aston University to study how the brain plans and holds movement, in partnership with clinicians at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Project Details
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions, twisting movements, and abnormal postures. The underlying brain mechanisms remain poorly understood. A recent breakthrough showed that the brain’s “hold” commands (which keep a limb still) are generated by integrating preceding movement commands (Albert et al., 2020, eLife). This project will test whether this “move‑to‑hold” integration is disrupted in dystonia.
The main experimental work will be conducted at Aston University, where you will use a vBOT robotic interface to precisely quantify movement and postural control, alongside EEG and OPM‑MEG (a wearable brain‑imaging technology) to measure neural activity during movement and holding tasks.
Participants with dystonia will be recruited through the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham movement disorders clinic, in collaboration with Dr Benjamin Wright and Dr Venkat Srinivasan.
What you will do:
Year 1: Establish the vBOT platform at Aston University; run experiments in healthy volunteers (EEG + vBOT); receive training in OPM‑MEG.
Year 2: Recruit patients with dystonia via QE Hospital; collect behavioural and neuroimaging data primarily at Aston University.
Year 3: Analyse data, test whether brain oscillations predict movement and holding behaviour, and prepare publications.
Why this matters:
First direct test of the integrator hypothesis in dystonia.
Potential identification of a new brain‑based biomarker (beta oscillations).
A 4‑month clinical placement at QE Hospital provides hands‑on experience in a world‑class neurology centre.
Training and placement: You will receive expert supervision from a multidisciplinary team spanning neuroscience, neuroimaging, and clinical neurology.
The project includes a 4‑month PhD+ clinical placement at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where you will work directly with movement‑disorders patients and clinicians, complementing your Aston‑based experimental research.
International applicants: International applicants are welcome and will not need to pay any difference between Home and Overseas tuition fees.
阿斯顿大学 PhD position in Investigating Move-to-Hold Integration in Dystonia: A Behavioural and Neuroimaging Study项目有没有奖学金，是不是全奖Phd招生，下面我们一起看一下【大学名称】Phd的奖学金资助情况
项目资助情况
Funding Notes
This project covers all tuition fees and includes an annual stipend.
Please note that the successful candidate will be responsible for any costs relating to moving to Birmingham and/or visiting the Aston campus. International students must meet the financial requirements for the visa, flights, and NHS Surcharge. Applicants should be confident that they can meet these costs before applying.
Further information can be found here: Financial Requirements | Aston University( https://www.aston.ac.uk/current-students/support-services/international/prospective-students/financial-requirements#:~:text=The%20documents%20they%20generally%20accept,name%20or%20your%20parent%27s%20name )
阿斯顿大学Phd申请条件和要求都有哪些？PhD position in Investigating Move-to-Hold Integration in Dystonia: A Behavioural and Neuroimaging Study项目是不是全奖？有没有奖学金？下面我们一起看一下阿斯顿大学申请Phd直招需要具备哪些条件和要求，以及托福、雅思语言成绩要到多少才能申请。
申请要求
Person Specification
Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their undergraduate degree, in a relevant subject.
OR
b] a First or Upper Second Class award in their undergraduate degree, and a Merit or Distinction in a Masters degree, both in a relevant subject.
Qualifications from overseas institutions will be considered, but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.
Desirable / Essential Skills or Experience
Essential:
• Interest in movement disorders and brain imaging.
• Good communication and team working skills.
Desirable:
• Experience with EEG/MEG or other neuroimaging.
• Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• Experience working with clinical populations.
报名方式
联系人
姓名：Postgraduate Admissions team
邮箱：pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk
招生人信息
Dr B Zaaimi
邮箱：b.zaaimi@aston.ac.uk
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