The mechanisms of pressure and gas mediated neuroplasticity in the human brain

Director of Studies: Professor Stephen Hall

2nd Supervisor: Professor Gary Smerdon

3rd Supervisor: Dr Elsa Fouragnan 

4th Supervisor: Dr Helen McKenna

Applications are invited for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship to study the effects of altered gas and pressure on the human brain. The studentship will start on 1 October 2024.

This collaborative project is based at the University of Plymouth’s Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC) and the hyperbaric medicine research charity DDRC; which are uniquely co-located.

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is widely applied to treat a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders in countries around the world, the evidence threshold for implementation in the UK (NHS) has not yet been established. Moreover, the lack of a mechanistic understanding of the effects of altered oxygen concentration and pressure on the human brain limits the implementation and optimization of treatment protocols. 

Building upon the findings of our recent studies, this PhD will systematically test the hypothesis that broad improvements in cognitive and behavioural performance are the result of an increase in neuroplasticity driven by oxygen and pressure related neural change. The project will exploit the multimodal neuroimaging, brain stimulation, cognitive and behavioural assessment capability at BRIC to investigate the structural, functional, and pharmacological effects of hyperbaric, hypobaric, and altered gas environments available at DDRC. 

The PhD will provide an opportunity to develop and apply a range of skills in neuroimaging (e.g. fMRI, DTI, MRS), brain stimulation (e.g. TMS, FUS), electrophysiology (EEG) methods, alongside neurocognitive and physiological techniques. To address questions of how neural markers such as oscillations, cortical excitability, functional connectivity, and neurochemistry respond to altered oxygen and pressure.

We are looking for a talented and motivated PhD candidate with a 1st class or high 2.1 bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. A masters degree in a neuroscience related discipline, experience with coding (e.g. Matlab, Python, R etc) and conducting human neuroscience experiments and analyses are desirable.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. 

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,110. 2023/24 rate (2024/25 rate TBC).  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £13,244 per annum 2024/25 rate). 

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Stephen Hall

Please see apply for a postgraduate research programme for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

This vacancy will involve working with children and/or vulnerable adults and any appointment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our how to apply for a research degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is Friday 7 June 2024. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.