The Neurobiology of Epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Start date: October 2019
Award: One 3 year fully funded studentship by The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment and the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Project:
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in children. In people with autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy can occur at a higher rate. Where the individual also has a learning disability, this incidence is higher again (rates up to 25%). A research programme at the Sackler Institute of Translational Neurodevelopment is investigating biological markers of seizure susceptibility in a large longitudinal cohort of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder with and without epilepsy.
We are pleased to offer a PhD opportunity to join our team to examine the brain biology of susceptibility to seizures as well as the cognitive consequences of epilepsy in autism. The candidate will work with individuals with epilepsy and autism and interrogate imaging based biomarkers of epilepsy in this context, helping to collect data (imaging and behavioural) in a wider team effort. They should have prior experience working with children and ideally experience in collecting data in a clinical environment.
Collaborating with experts locally at King’s and partners in the IMI-funded AIMS-2-Trials study, the candidate will use MRI and EEG as tools to examine brain structure and function in-vivo. They will have the opportunity to train in a range of methods, imaging, statistics as well as cognitive & behavioural assessments.
Scientists at The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment are transforming our understanding of how common disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), epilepsy and Down’s syndrome, develop over a lifespan. Under the leadership of Professor Declan Murphy, the Dr Mortimer D Sackler Chair in Translational Neurodevelopment, they are working to improve current diagnostic approaches and develop pioneering treatments.
The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment is based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) which is Europe’s largest centre for research and postgraduate education in these fields. The IoPPN trains more researchers in mental health than any other institution in the UK. In the latest Research Excellence Framework, the impact of the research undertaken at the IoPPN was judged 100 per cent world-leading or internationally excellent.
The IoPPN, together with its sister institutions within King’s Health Partners, possesses an unparalleled patient resource, state-of-the-art facilities and world-renowned researchers and clinicians who aim to better understand, present and treat conditions that affect the brain. Our experts routinely collaborate with other universities, industry, healthcare providers and policy-makers to impact the lives of people living with mental illness and brain disorders.
The successful candidate will have access to this unique research environment with wide-ranging future career options.
Supervisors:
Dr Jonathan O’Muircheartaigh
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/jonathanom.html
Dr Michael Absoud
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/michael.absoud.html
Entry requirements: Applicants should have a Bachelors degree with 2:1 honours. A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters with Merit.
Candidates with experience in working with children with complex developmental conditions are especially welcome.
Award types and eligibility:
The award will cover the following:
- PhD fees
- Tuition Fees
- Stipend
- Research costs
- Travel
MRC residency criteria applies: https://mrc.ukri.org/skills-careers/studentships/studentship-guidance/student-eligibility-requirements/
Further information:
The Sackler Institute
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/fans/sackler-group/AboutUs.aspx
Research at the IoPPN
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/research/agenda.aspx
Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/fans/research/research-interests-themes.aspx
Information about Postgraduate study at King’s College London
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/index.aspx
How to apply:
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal (https://apply.kcl.ac.uk/) by Friday 4th January (23.59 GMT)
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keyword ‘Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences’
The studentship is offered by The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment.
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference:
JO-FANS-2019
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr. Jonathan O’Muircheartaigh (jonathanom@kcl.ac.uk) for more information regarding the project and studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrative Assistant.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing date: Friday 4th January 2019 (23.59 GMT)
Interviews: Will be notified by email