Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science PhD Studentship

This is an opportunity for a highly-motivated Postgraduate Researcher to join a leading interdisciplinary group tackling one of the most exciting questions in science: the nature of consciousness. The Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS) is an internationally prominent research group in consciousness science and one of the University’s Centres of Excellence. Our core mission is to advance the scientific understanding of consciousness and to use the insights from this research for the benefit of society, medicine, and technology.

We invite innovative research proposals on any topic within consciousness science that have a strong Informatics focus. The proposed research should contain a substantial mathematical or computational modelling component and/or utilise cutting-edge data science methodology. Your proposal can be focused within one discipline, or bring together methods and concepts from different disciplines within the Centre. In your application, you should name a preferred main supervisor from the Department of Informatics faculty. In addition, you can optionally propose a second supervisor from one of the other Schools participating in the Centre. Proposals must lie within the scope of the supervisor(s) expertise and have feasible equipment and data requirements.

Based in our Informatics lab, you will be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team which spans the departments of Informatics, Philosophy, Psychology and Brighton & Sussex Medical School, and which enjoys a wide range of experimental and computational facilities (including EEG/TMS/fMRI and VR). The group has strong collaborative links beyond Sussex, including leading consciousness researchers both nationally and internationally.

Eligibility

The studentship is available to UK and international applicants. 

Eligible candidates will have an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree or above, in a relevant field.

The University of Sussex believes that the diversity of its staff and student community is fundamental to creative thinking, pedagogic innovation, intellectual challenge, and the interdisciplinary approach to research and learning. We celebrate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Apply online for a full time PhD in Cognitive Science OR Informatics (SEP2025) using our step-by-step guide.

Please clearly state on your application that you are applying for the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science Studentship and the name of your preferred supervisor. 

Please ensure you application includes each of the following

• A research proposal. For guidance on preparing your proposal, please see here.
• A personal statement. 
• Your CV.
• The name of the faculty member(s) you wish to nominate as your supervisor(s). You may nominate up to 2 potential supervisors. Please contact any prospective supervisor prior to nominating them.
• Degree certificates and transcripts. 
• 2 references, including a minimum of 1 from any institution studied at within the last 5 years.
• If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the University’s English language requirements.

Contact us

For general enquiries, please email [email protected].