Sussex Neuroscience 4-year PhD Programme
Position: Ph.D. Student
Deadline: 12 January 2026
Employment Start Date: 28 September 2026
Contract Length: 4 years
City: Brighton
Country: United Kingdom
Institution: University of Sussex
Department:
Description:
Sussex Neuroscience
The Sussex Neuroscience 4-year PhD Programme is now inviting applications for September 2026 entry.
Sussex Neuroscience is a thriving community of over 60 research groups based on a single campus. Research strengths cover all major areas and technical approaches in contemporary neuroscience. Some of our largest interdisciplinary themes are:
* Sensory neuroscience
* Neural circuits of behaviour
* Learning and memory
* Computational neuroscience and AI
* Translational and clinical neuroscience
The Programme
The Programme capitalises on the opportunities our research community has to offer, enabling you to broaden your experience and training to become fully integrated into the research network before choosing your PhD project.
Year 1
* You complete three laboratory rotations, with the chance to explore the approaches and techniques employed by different neuroscience disciplines
* You have access to further training and knowledge through a selection of taught courses chosen to fit your background and interests
Years 2-4
By the end of the first year, you will be in an excellent position to make an informed choice of PhD project, which you will complete over the remaining three years. There are over 40 research faculty offering projects. Our students can also take part in further training and events both internally and externally, apply to gain paid teaching experience, and volunteer at public engagement events.
Our campus is home to both the University of Sussex and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and is set in beautiful countryside at the edge of the South Downs National Park, 10 minutes away from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton. Our community is committed to student support and opportunity, and researchers at all stages enjoy a truly integrated, interdisciplinary environment across the different neuroscience groups on campus.
Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with protected characteristics – e.g. from Black and other ethnic minorities – who are under-represented in postgraduate research at our institution. Our PhD selection process is mindful of the diversity of backgrounds that strong candidates can have: we consider candidates based on all-round merit, and run a transparent interview process. We also offer support to any students with carer responsibilities to enable them to pursue their PhD research on an equal footing with others.
How to apply
You should hold (or be predicted) a 1 st class or upper 2 nd class BSc degree (or overseas equivalent) in a biological, physical or psychological science discipline. In addition to academic merit, we are looking for candidates whose scientific interests are an excellent two-way fit with the research strengths of our community.
Our scholarships provide all students with a stipend equivalent to the UK research council rate, cover full fees, and provide a research costs allowance.
Closing date for applications: Monday January 12 th 2026
Interviews will be held for shortlisted candidates in late February or early March 2026.
Name: Ruth Staras
Address: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
Sussex Neuroscience 4-year PhD Programme
Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
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