EASTBIO PhD: Shaping Motion – Astrocyte Specialization Within Motor Control Networks

Laplace Expert Ltd; St Andrews; Remote; GBP 16,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

University of St Andrews, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, invites applications for EASTBIO PhD: Shaping Motion – Astrocyte Specialization Within Motor Control Networks. This four-year, full-time doctoral training project investigates how astrocytes vary across movement-related circuits, using electrophysiology, live imaging and genetics to link glial states to spinal motor networks.

Funding is provided as a scholarship through EASTBIO; applicants must meet EASTBIO and university

Qualifications

• Applicants must meet EASTBIO and University of St Andrews doctoral-entry requirements for a relevant discipline.
• Prior experience in electrophysiology, pharmacology and live imaging is desirable.
• Strong ability to work interdisciplinary and communicate scientific results.

Responsibilities

• Conduct electrophysiology experiments to assess astrocyte states in motor networks.
• Perform live imaging and immunofluorescence to characterize glial properties.
• Analyze data, publish findings and present at project meetings.
• Collaborate with supervisors and other lab members across disciplines.

Skills

Electrophysiology

Pharmacology

Live imaging

Immunofluorescence

Microscopy

Genetic models

Independent research

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Scientific communication

Education

EASTBIO doctoral-entry requirements

Job description

EASTBIO PhD: Shaping Motion – Astrocyte Specialization Within Motor Control Networks

University of St Andrews · School of Psychology and Neuroscience

Scotland, United Kingdom

16 November 2026; no exact official cutoff time was verified.

About This Opportunity

This EASTBIO PhD investigates how astrocytes specialize within neural circuits that control movement, linking glial-cell diversity to spinal motor-network function.

Astrocytes are active components of neural circuits, but their properties may vary according to the motor networks in which they operate. This project will study astrocyte specialization in movement-related circuitry, particularly in the spinal cord. Experimental approaches can include genetic models, electrophysiology, pharmacology, live imaging, immunofluorescence and high-resolution microscopy. By comparing glial properties across defined circuit contexts, the project aims to determine whether specialized astrocyte states are functionally matched to surrounding neuronal networks and how those states contribute to motor control.

Level PhD

Time Commitment Full-time

Duration Four years

Programme EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Field Shaping Motion – Astrocyte Specialization Within Motor Control Networks

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount Scholarship

Funding Type Scholarship

Requirements

Education

Applicants must meet EASTBIO and University of St Andrews doctoral-entry requirements for a relevant discipline.

Experience

Technical Skills Electrophysiology Pharmacology Live imaging Immunofluorescence Microscopy Genetic models

General Skills Independent research Interdisciplinary collaboration Scientific communication