The University of Oxford is offering a funded DPhil studentship in Computational and Translational Neuroscience within the Department of Psychiatry, starting in October 2027. Supported by the European Research Council (ERC)-funded ROSETTA project, this opportunity focuses on investigating brain dynamics, cross-species neuroimaging, and whole-brain computational modeling. Applications are open to UK, EU, and international students with relevant academic backgrounds and strong computational research skills.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Application deadline: November 6, 2026, at 12:00 noon UK time
- Interview period: Week commencing November 23, 2026
- Expected start date: October 2027
- Reference number: 27PSYCH02WEB
Organization
- University: University of Oxford
- Department: Department of Psychiatry
- Program: DPhil in Computational and Translational Neuroscience
- Research project: ERC-funded ROSETTA project
- Research supervisor: Dr. Andrea Luppi
- Research affiliation: Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing
The research group collaborates with institutions including the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Italian Institute of Technology, NeuroSPIN in Paris, Pompeu Fabra University, and Montreal Neurological Institute.
Location / Study Destination
Oxford, United Kingdom. The studentship is a full-time doctoral research opportunity based at the University of Oxford, with funded research collaboration visits to the Italian Institute of Technology.
Who Can Apply
Applications are welcome from:
- UK students.
- EU students.
- International students.
- Candidates holding at least an upper second-class honors degree or equivalent and/or a relevant Master’s degree.
- Graduates in neuroscience, physics, computer science, engineering, or related disciplines.
- Applicants with relevant independent research experience, including a dissertation or substantial research project.
- Candidates interested in interdisciplinary research involving neuroscience, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence.
Applicants from diverse academic and personal backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Key Benefits / Funding
- Annual stipend: £21,805, tax-free, at the UKRI standard rate.
- Tuition fee coverage: Course fees covered up to the value of UK Home fees.
- Research funding: Additional financial support for research expenses.
- Conference support: Funding for conference attendance.
- International collaboration: Funded travel for regular research visits to the Italian Institute of Technology.
- Research training: Specialized training in computational neuroscience, complex systems, neuroimaging, and NeuroAI.
- Professional development: Opportunities to develop scientific presentation, communication, and collaborative research skills.
Funding condition: Applicants classified as overseas students for tuition purposes must secure alternative funding to cover the difference between international tuition fees and the Home fee amount covered by the studentship.
Main Requirements
Academic qualifications
- At least an upper second-class honors degree or equivalent and/or a relevant Master’s degree.
- An academic background in neuroscience, physics, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in independent academic research.
Technical and research skills
- Experience working with large neuroimaging datasets, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Strong computational and statistical analysis skills.
- Proficiency in Python or MATLAB.
- Experience in data science and computational research.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Interest in interdisciplinary approaches to understanding brain function.
Research focus
The successful candidate will contribute to the ERC-funded ROSETTA project, which aims to establish a functional coordinate system for understanding brain activity across experimental conditions, neurological disorders, and species.
Research activities will include:
- Analyzing brain dynamics using fMRI datasets.
- Investigating targeted brain perturbations, including pharmacological interventions involving anesthetics or psychedelics and brain stimulation.
- Studying neural dynamics primarily in macaques, with comparisons across humans, macaques, and mice.
- Developing and applying whole-brain computational models.
- Investigating relationships between brain anatomy, functional organization, and causal interventions.
- Applying information theory, network science, and complex systems approaches to neuroscience.
The precise research direction will be refined in consultation with the selected candidate.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the doctoral program
Visit the University of Oxford graduate admissions website to review the application procedures and requirements.
Step 2: Prepare the application
Complete the university’s online graduate application form and prepare all required supporting materials.
Step 3: Arrange references
Ensure that all required academic references are submitted before the application deadline.
Step 4: Pay the application fee
Pay the £20 application fee unless eligible for an application fee waiver.
Step 5: Submit the application
Submit the completed application and all supporting documents through the university’s online graduate admissions system.
Final deadline: November 6, 2026, at 12:00 noon UK time.
For informal inquiries about the studentship or research project, contact:
Dr. Andrea Luppi
Email: andrea.luppi@psych.ox.ac.uk
Documents Needed
Applicants must submit:
- Online graduate application form: Completed through the University of Oxford’s graduate admissions system.
- Academic references: Submitted as part of the application process.
- Supporting application materials: Prepared according to the university’s graduate admissions guidance.
All supporting materials, including references, must be received before the deadline.
Important Notes
- The application deadline is earlier than the university’s standard December graduate admissions deadline.
- Applications close at exactly 12:00 noon UK time on November 6, 2026.
- International applicants are eligible, but the scholarship only covers tuition fees up to the UK Home fee level.
- Overseas fee-paying students must arrange additional funding to cover the remaining tuition fees.
- A £20 application fee applies, although eligible applicants may qualify for a fee waiver.
- The project involves computational and neuroimaging research across humans, macaques, and mice.
- The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary research training and opportunities for international collaboration.
- Applicants may consult Dr. Andrea Luppi’s article, Ten Simple Rules for Aspiring Graduate Students, for additional guidance on graduate research development.