World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship in Psychology and Neuroscience and Biology

Project

Current neuroscience techniques allow us to examine systems within the brain at a level of detail that was unimaginable even 10-15 years ago. Whereas state-of-the-art systems would previously allow 10-20 neurons to be recorded simultaneously, the invention of silicon probes such as neuropixels allow researchers to routinely record signals from hundreds of neurons simultaneously. This allows a much more precise understanding of how neural systems support cognitive processes. However, this also presents a problem common to many scientific disciplines: big data. Data such as this needs to be analysed with sophisticated machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to efficiently recover hidden patterns present in the data.

In this studentship, you will join two world-leading groups: the Ainge lab, studying memory in rodents, and the Smith lab, studying machine learning/artificial intelligence applied to biological problems. You will make recordings using neuropixels in rodents performing memory tasks and advance methodology in the cutting-edge technique of dynamic Bayesian networks, to reveal differences in neural information flow that map onto underlying cognitive processes such as confidence in memory recall.

The Smith lab works to advance methodology in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and particularly Bayesian networks, where dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) show great promise for revealing neural information flow from neuronal recordings. Massively parallel neural recordings such as neuropixels provide a new area for DBNs, providing significant new understanding of memory systems, while having scope for computational development.

The Ainge lab has recently published new and exciting work showing that mice living in enriched environments with large social groups, toys and running wheels have better memory than rodents in standard housing. Interestingly, this improved memory is apparent only when we ask them hard memory questions involving remembering specific occasions that are very similar to other occasions. For example, if we are asked ‘What did you have for dinner last night?’ you need to inhibit a lot of very similar memories of dinners you have had to facilitate correct memory recall. It is exactly this type of situation where large scale neuropixel recording and machine learning can give new and unprecedented insights into memory processes.

In this project, you will get experience in cutting-edge experimental neuroscience and rapidly advancing areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence. You will deepen our understanding of how memory works, plus advance computational methods for massively parallel recordings of neural systems. This strong interdisciplinary experience will prepare you for a career in the growing, dynamic interdisciplinary fields of computational and systems neuroscience.

For more information about the supervisors' research, see:

James Ainge; https://aingelab.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ 

V Anne Smith: https://vannesmithlab.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ 

Value of award (per year)

Full-fees award and stipend. The stipend will be paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 in 2024-2025). The stipend will be paid pro-rata to part-time students.

The scholarships do not cover any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees, Visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, IELTS fees, costs for travel to and from the UK or research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses.

Duration of award

Up to 3.5 years (full-time) or 7.0 years (part-time). Scholarship holders will be expected to have submitted their thesis for examination by the end of that period. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.

At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?

Please apply for the scholarship after you have submitted your application for a place at St Andrews. You do not need to wait until you have received an offer of a place before applying for the scholarship.

Additional criteria

You must have applied for a PhD programme at St Andrews.

You must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews or another institution.

As part of the scholarship application you will be required to upload a personal statement. This should serve as a cover letter for the research project application as a whole, and should include:

• An outline of your suitability for the project (project criteria can be found in the "Eligibility" and "Project Description" sections above).
• Why the project interests you.
• What you would bring to the project in terms of previous skills and expertise.
• Any ideas that you may have for the realisation of the project.

How to apply

1. Apply for admission as a doctoral student beginning in the academic year 2025-26. Please see the advice on Research programmes. Please apply to the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. After submitting your PhD application, you must allow at least two working days for processing and issue of your log-in details before you can apply for the scholarship. Once you have received an email confirming your access to the My application portal: 
2. Apply for the scholarship, which is available through the World-Leading Scholarship 2: Network based analysis of neural processes underlying memory recall application form. You can access this application through the Scholarships and funding catalogue in the Scholarships and Funding section of My application. 
   • Enter the catalogue by following the instructions in the email, then choosing Scholarships and funding (under 'Useful links') and then clicking View the scholarships and funding catalogue.
   • Select 2025/6 as the Academic Year and click ‘Refresh list’.
   • Find the World-Leading St Andrews Doctoral Scholarship that you wish to apply for in the list of scholarships (using the filter box if necessary), click Apply and complete the application form.
   • You can also use the catalogue to search and apply for other scholarships for which you are eligible. 

Scholarship application form guidance

If you are a current student at St Andrews, you can access Scholarships and Funding through MySaint. However, you should wait until after you have applied for your intended postgraduate programme before doing so, to ensure that the scholarship application is linked to that course.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab) 

If you apply to this scholarship, details from your course application may be passed to the selection panel solely for the purpose of merit-based assessment. 

When will I know the outcome?

The outcome of your scholarship application will be available on View or continue my funding applications in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application within two months of the application deadline.