*Dopamine, social cognition and bodily movement: unpacking a complex relationship (ERC-Funded PhD studentship)*

Application deadline: 25th May 2018

Studentship start date: 30th July 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Summary: Applications are invited for a fully-funded (fees + stipend) Ph.D. to begin in July 2018. The candidate will work with Dr. Jennifer Cook ( www.jencooklab.com; http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/people/profile.aspx?Reference...) on a European Research Council (ERC)-funded project on the relationship between social cognition, bodily movement and function of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system (ERC-StG-Brain2Bee).

Project description: Studies of Parkinson’s Disease have typically focused on difficulties with bodily movement (e.g. difficulties with walking), and studies of Autism have tended to focus on social cognition. The co-occurrence of social and movement symptoms is thus critically underappreciated; Parkinson’s Disease patients exhibit social symptoms, and motor challenges (e.g. difficulties with handwriting) are common in Autism. At present, the biological basis of co-occurring social and motor symptoms is unclear. Notably, both Autism and Parkinson’s Disease have been associated with atypicalities in the function of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system. This Ph.D. project aims to improve understanding of the complex relationship between social cognition, bodily movement and the dopamine system. This aim will be achieved using psychopharmacology studies and behavioural training in typical individuals and in those with Autism or Parkinson’s Disease. Results from this package of work will help us to move closer to a cross-disorder understanding of factors underlying variation in social and motor ability.

Research will be conducted at the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/index.aspx) which is one of the largest and most successful psychology departments in the UK, currently ranked in the top 5 (REF 2014).

How to apply: For more information and application details see https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=89414 or contact Dr. Jennifer Cook, j.l.cook@bham.ac.uk

-- Dr Jennifer Cook

Senior Research Fellow School of Psychology University of Birmingham

www.jencooklab.com

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/people/profile.aspx?Reference...