Fully Funded PhD postions in University of Manchester
jysen sun
I (Dr. Jingyuan Sun, Assistant Professor, https://sites.google.com/view/jingyuan-sun/home) am delighted to recruit Ph.D. students in collaboration with several distinguished professors in related fields. Together, we aim to nurture and develop doctoral students through research in the following areas:
Primary Research Areas
Area 1: Large Language Models, Neural Encoding, and Decoding of Language
In this area, I will be co-supervising with Prof. Chenghua Lin (Full Professor). Neural encoding examines how external stimuli or cognitive processes are translated into neural signals within the brain, while neural decoding focuses on "reading" information from neural activities—decoding external information from known neural signals. This research aims to investigate how the human brain processes language, exploring similarities and differences between language models and brain-based semantic storage. Additionally, we hope to enhance the performance of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for language and speech applications.
Area 2: Multimodal Foundational Models for Neuroimages
I will be co-supervising this area with Prof. Goran Nenadic (Full Professor). This research integrates multimodal neuroimaging data into a unified foundational model to capture the relationships among neural activities and brain structure across different modalities. The goal is to unify various dimensions of brain imaging, advancing our understanding of the structural and functional complexities of the human brain. Potential applications include the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of brain disorders.
Area 3: Foundational Models for Multi-Omics Research in Bioinformatics
I will be co-supervising with Dr. Hongpeng Zhou. This research focuses on developing foundational models for multi-omics data, encompassing genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and more. By integrating multi-omics data and establishing optimized foundational models, we aim to deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying certain cancers and to advance personalized medicine applications.
Expectations for Candidates
Pursuing a PhD is a journey filled with opportunities and challenges, requiring both academic potential and strong personal qualities. We hope candidates possess the following attributes:
Personal Qualities
Self-discipline: Ability to plan time effectively, maintain research continuity and efficiency, and demonstrate strong self-management, motivation, and goal-setting skills.
Diligence: A willingness to take on complex, long-term research tasks with resilience and commitment, investing time and energy consistently.
Passion: Genuine interest and enthusiasm for academic research, with a strong drive to explore and solve scientific challenges creatively.
Fluent English Proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
Candidates should ideally have an IELTS average score of 6.5 or higher (or equivalent), as proficiency in English will be highly beneficial for studying and living in the UK. Academic writing experience in Englishis a plus. The English Language scores required by the Faculty of Science and Engineering are a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests.
Academic Background and Technical Skills
Programming experience in artificial neural networks, deep learning, large models, natural language processing, and computer vision is advantageous.
Proficiency in common machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, MxNet, Huggingface-Transformer) is highly desirable.
Not required but beneficial: background knowledge in cognitive neuroscience, medical imaging, or bioinformatics.
Scholarship Opportunities
University of Manchester/CSC Joint Scholarship Award (Chinese Government Full Scholarship)
University of Manchester President’s Doctoral Scholar Award, Dean's Doctoral Scholarship Award, and Postgraduate Research Teaching Associate (PGRTA) Scholarships.
We warmly invite you to apply and look forward to exploring exciting research avenues together.
Contact and Deadline
Interested applicants are encouraged to send their CV and cover letter to jingyu...@manchester.ac.uk at their earliest convenience. The current application deadline is December 20, 2024. Thank you!