PhD Studentship

Post Summary The Wireless Engineering and Complexity Science Laboratory (WhyCOM-Lab) & Medical Circuits and Systems Laboratory (MediCAS-Lab) at Trinity College Dublin are seeking a PhD student to explore and develop a non-invasive deep brain stimulation concept for common neurological disorders. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is effective in treating neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Dystonia, or Major Depression Disorder (MDD). However, DBS uses deep brain implants as stimulation electrodes. Although done by key-hole surgery under stereotaxic control, they bear elevated surgical risks and an acute risk of brain damage by haemorrhage and deep brain bleeding. In BRAINET (Networked Distributed Neural Interfaces for Interference-Based Brain Stimulation), we confront the pressing need to keep clinical benefits of DBS whilst avoiding potentially devastating side effects of chronic long term brain implants. BRAINET embarks on the challenge of harnessing the power of novel nanostructured smart materials in close contact with the brain. These new materials hold the promise of efficacious brain stimulation and wireless energy harvesting. BRAINET is equally committed to nurturing a new generation of responsible researchers. Our program encompasses comprehensive training for PhD students, including translational neuroscience, neuro-ethics, new smart nano-architectured materials, and wireless signal safety guidelines. We recognize that besides the technological development; we are pushing innovation that will reshape the landscape of bioelectronic medicine. BRAINET’s multidisciplinary team will lead us toward pioneering breakthroughs in communication engineering and neuroscience technology targeting clear unmet clinical needs and achieving substantial impact for better healthcare and societal benefits. The BRAINET consortium includes top universities, research institutes, and industry partners. All partners are internationally renowned in DBS-related fields like neural engineering, smart nanostructured materials, networking, and intra-body wireless communications. BRAINET will chart a compelling path forward in the realm of neural interface technology. For this BRAINET PhD position at Trinity College Dublin we are seeking a researcher to define communication and wireless powering strategies and explore network architectures for semantics-based information and power transfer. The role will involve examining both explicit and implicit communication, including signals related to brain inactivity. Application Procedure Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses) to Professor Nicola Marchetti (nicola.marchetti@tcd.ie) and Professor Friedrich Wetterling (Friedrich.wetterling@tcd.ie). Only shortlisted applicants will be responded to, the next stage being a zoom call with Prof Marchetti, Prof Wetterling and their teams. Please include a cover letter, CV, relevant academic transcripts and other information in ONE submitted .pdf file.
At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those who have been displaced due to war. Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier University. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and we hold an Athena Swan Silver award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and in the Higher Education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.