Gatsby Unit and Sainsbury Wellcome Centre Joint PhD Programme

Deadline: 17:00 GMT, Monday 9 November 2026

This four-year joint PhD programme, launched by the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit (GCNU) and Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (SWC), aims to bridge the gap between theory and experiment. The programme immerses students in both experimental and theoretical thinking, providing rigorous training in a supportive environment for an interdisciplinary research career in academia or industry. First-year courses provide a comprehensive introduction to systems neuroscience, theoretical/computational neuroscience and machine learning. Students will be part of a broader trainee cohort across both centres, interacting and engaging in scientific discussion with both SWC and GCNU researchers with equal emphasis.

GCNU and SWC provide a unique opportunity to bring together a critical mass of theoreticians and experimentalists, fostering close interaction both among themselves and with researchers in the ELLIS Unit at UCL and across related UCL departments and domains, such as UCL Neuroscience Domain; Artificial Intelligence; Computer Science; Statistical Science; as well as researchers at the nearby Francis Crick Institute.

The applicants should have a strong analytical and mathematical background, a keen interest in neuroscience, and a relevant first degree (e.g., in Computer Science, Cognitive Psychology, Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Statistics).

Full funding is available regardless of nationality. We also welcome applicants who have secured, or are seeking, funding from other sources.

More information on the joint programme (including the key differences between the three PhD programmes offered by GCNU and SWC) and details on how to apply can be found on https://www.ucl.ac.uk/life-sciences/gatsby/study-and-work/gcnu-swc-joint-phd-programme.

--
I-Chun Lin, PhD
Scientific Programme Manager
Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL