-------- Original Message -------- Subject: PhD studentship at university of Manchester Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2012 08:56:02 +0000 From: Kevin Munro &lt;kevin.j.munro(a)MANCHESTER.AC.UK&gt; Reply-To: Kevin Munro &lt;kevin.j.munro(a)MANCHESTER.AC.UK&gt; To: EAR-MAIL(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK *PhD Studentship* *Audiology and Deafness Research Group, **School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester* * * *Physiological mechanisms and perceptual consequences of plasticity in the human auditory system* * * *Professor Kevin Munro and Professor Christopher Plack* The Audiology and Deafness Group invite applications for the following 3-year PhD studentship. The project is due to commence in either October 2012 or January 2013 subject to the preference of the successful candidate. Funding attracts full UK/EU tuition fee support, associated research expenses and an annual tax-free stipend of £13, 590. The project falls within our research theme of auditory plasticity. This theme is concerned with understanding the changes that occur over time in the auditory system due to training, deafness, development or restoration of input to a deaf auditory system. The translational goal is to guide fitting and management options for hearing devices. We are particularly keen to extend our work on plasticity after a period of deprivation (earplug) or stimulation (amplification) in normal-hearing individuals. Our recent work has shown that modifying the sensory environment in this way can, for example, result in a change in the threshold of the middle ear muscle reflex and alter the perception of loudness. We aim to understand the physiological mechanisms and perceptual consequences of this plasticity. There is some flexibility over how this PhD study will be designed, allowing significant scope for the successful candidate to shape the research to suit personal interests and skills development. The project will involve a combination of physiological and psychophysical measurement techniques. The Audiology and Deafness group provides an ideal environment for research training. We host state-of-the-art facilities including seven sound-treated booths and several advanced multichannel EEG systems. Our PhD and early-career researchers form key members, benefitting from the opportunity to present at our regular seminars and represent the group at national and international conferences. Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in an audiology, psychology, neuroscience or cognate discipline. A Masters qualification in a related area or minimum two years professional/research experience would be an advantage. The studentship is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding. Please direct expressions of interest in the following format to Professor Kevin Munro (kevin.j.munro(a)manchester.ac.uk <mailto:kevin.j.munro@manchester.ac.uk>): * A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date. * Academic CV * Copy of academic degree transcripts * Contact details for two suitable referees Please direct any questions on the project or suitability to Professor Munro at the above address. The deadline for applications is *Friday 24 August* *2012*. http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/research/groups/audiologyanddeafness/ http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/staff/106712 *********************************************************************************************************************** Kevin J Munro, Ewing Professor of Audiology, Director of Graduate Matters for School of Psychological Sciences Room A3.11, Ellen Wilkinson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK Tel: +44 161 275 3360, Fax: +44 161 275 3373, www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk <http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/> PA: Dan Owens, +44 161 275 8281, daniel.owens(a)manchester.ac.uk ***********************************************************************************************************************