We are looking for a curious, self-motivated, computationally skilled student to join our interdisciplinary team to investigate the development and neurocognitive bases of gravity representation in the visual system, using chicks and mice as models. Gravity has been the most persistent sensory signal through evolution, and its internal representation is essential to perceive and successfully interact with the environment. To what extent is terrestrial gravity embedded in neural circuits, as either innate or acquired assumptions about the movement and trajectories of objects in the environment? Our recent studies showed that [1] domestic chicks possess innate expectations on upward vs downward trajectories, since in the absence of previous visual experience they preferentially approach upward. This shows that the brain has expectations on how objects move with respect to terrestrial gravity.
The neurobiological basis of these and other early preferences for different motion dynamics and trajectories remains unknown. In this project, we will pioneer the study of how gravity representations develop in young brains, studying domestic chicks and mice, using behavioural approaches –including controlled-rearing in immersive environments [1,2,3]– and neurobiological techniques such as immunohistochemistry, in vivo electrophysiological single-unit recording and two-photon GCaMP imaging [2,3,4]. The project offers a new angle for understanding the neurocognitive development of gravity representation, with implications for adaptation to non-terrestrial gravity, neurodevelopmental and vestibular disorders. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to fine tune the project based on individual interests and skills.
Dr Elisabetta Versace’s lab focuses on studying early predispositions across species. Dr Guifen Chen’s lab focuses on how sensory inputs are integrated at the neural network level to form spatial representation in the brain. Prof Andrea Benucci’s group studies the neural substrate of visual processing and vision-based decision making. Overall, our team is at the forefront of contemporary neuroscience techniques, from behavioural experiments to in-vivo imaging, and computational modelling. More details on the Versace (Prepared Minds lab) are available here.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, Computational Science and AI.
Knowledge of animal behaviour, neurobiological techniques and computational skills would be highly advantageous but are not required.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2025. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 29th January 2025 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Elisabetta Versace AT e.versace@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
Apply Online