Neural circuits for walking and balance

One fully-funded PhD project is available in the School of Biomedical Sciences. We invite applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26. The successful candidate will investigate brainstem and spinal cord neural circuits for walking and balance, with particular emphasis on neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus that project to the spinal cord. The project will utilise electrophysiological techniques and in-vivo behavioural experiments and we particularly welcome applications from people with a keen interest in this methodology. Prior experience in these techniques would be valuable but not essential.

Motor deficits, such as those seen in Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease, as well as those causing falls in the elderly, can massively reduce people’s quality of life and are a huge financial burden on the NHS. A full understanding of the neuronal circuitry controlling walking and balance will allow us to design targeted treatments for movement disorders. The basic mammalian pattern for walking is generated by spinal neuronal circuits which must be extremely adaptable in order to execute a wide range of motor tasks. One key source of sensory feedback is provided by the vestibular system which helps to maintain balance and posture during walking (Witts and Murray, 2019). It has recently been shown that the lateral vestibular nucleus contributes to the adaptation of motor outputs according to environmental context (Witts et al., 2023) and may have an influence on inter-limb timing during walking (Di Bonito et al., 2015). However, it is not known how these vestibular signals are integrated with ongoing motor commands for walking.

The successful candidate will therefore investigate brainstem and spinal cord neural circuits for walking and balance, with particular emphasis on neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus that project to the spinal cord. The project will utilise anatomical and electrophysiological techniques and in-vivo behavioural experiments. The goal of the project will be to understand the nature and function of the lateral vestibular nucleus projection to the spinal cord and its integration into the spinal locomotor neuronal circuitry. This knowledge will help to design treatments for motor control issues such as those seen in Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease and to aid balance control in the elderly and those with vestibular disorders.

Eligibility

Please note this opportunity is only available to applicants who are eligible to pay academic fees at the UK Home rate.

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Biomedical Sciences should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

How to Apply

To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. 

• a full academic CV
• degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)

To help us identify that you are applying for this project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert
• Please state “Faculty Funded Scholarship” when asked for source of funding

For further information about this project please contact Dr Emily Reader-Harris:

e: E.C.Reader-Harris@leeds.ac.uk

For further information about the admissions process please contact the FBS PGR Admissions Team

e: fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk