Postdoctoral training fellowship
We offer opportunities for postdoctoral fellows to conduct cutting-edge research in theoretical neuroscience and/or machine learning. This fellowship offers relative independence to pursue your own research vision together with your supervisor. You will develop as a researcher through teaching and mentoring PhD students, networking with the UCL community, and our research activities including regular talks, journal clubs and lab meetings. Other development opportunities are available through UCL.
Postdoctoral positions are typically funded for up to three years. Fellowships are available on an ad hoc basis, visit Vacancies and follow us on Bluesky (@gatsbyucl.bsky.social) for latest opportunities.
PhD programmes
Gatsby Unit PhD programme
This 4-year programme is highly competitive, with up to 6 students being accepted each year. Students study toward a PhD in either machine learning or computational/theoretical neuroscience, with minor emphasis in the complementary field.
GCNU-SWC joint PhD programme
This 4-year programme is highly competitive, with 2 students being accepted each year on average. It is designed to immerse students in both experimental and theoretical thinking, providing a rigorous preparation for an interdisciplinary research career.
We do not offer taught undergraduate/Master’s programmes, nor a research Master’s programme. Exceptionally, some students with pre-secured studentships have joined us to study for an MPhil degree in theoretical neuroscience or machine learning. Students from other PhD programmes may carry out part or all of their research in the Unit.
Predoctoral research experience
Project research internship
We have a paid project research internship programme for final-year undergraduates and Master’s students, where the research would not form part of their degree requirements.
Applications are reviewed twice a year in January and July. If you plan to do a winter/spring internship, please submit your application by the July deadline (of the previous year); if you plan to do a summer/autumn internship, please submit your application by the January deadline of the same year. Calls are announced on our Vacancies page (under “Project Research Intern”).
Research projects leading to a Master’s degree
We may also be able to supervise MSc and other research projects leading to a Master’s degree.
If you are enrolled in a UCL programme, please contact the faculty member(s) you would like to work with in the normal way for your course.
If you are enrolled in a Master’s programme at a different university, please submit your application following the same procedure and deadline for our internship programme. (If your programme has a deadline that is earlier than our internship application deadline, contact I-Chun Lin at i.lin ‘at’ ucl.ac.uk.) In your application, please give details of your programme and any constraints/regulations relevant to the research, and specify that you are applying to carry out a Master’s research project. Such research visits are separate from our paid internships, and we expect any financial support or remuneration to ordinarily be arranged through your home institution.
Predoctoral summer school
Gatsby Bridging Programme
This 7-week, fast-paced mathematics summer school is designed for predoctoral students who aspire to pursue a postgraduate research degree in theoretical neuroscience and/or foundational machine learning but whose degree programme lacks a strong mathematical focus. Participants will develop the mathematics skills and intuition necessary to enter these fields. Applications open in January.