Opportunities

The IBRO Neuroscience Training Grants program aims to provide equitable access to high-quality neuroscience education and practical training opportunities by supporting PhD students and early-career postdoctoral fellows with funds to attend neuroscience training courses.

About the Program

Specialized teaching and hands-on training experiences are crucial for the career development of neuroscience researchers. The Neuroscience Training Grants are designed to support these essential opportunities, covering costs such as course fees, travel and accommodation. By eliminating financial barriers, IBRO aims to ensure  that early-career neuroscientists, particularly those from under-resourced regions, can access high quality training This initiative is part of IBRO’s broader commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in neuroscience research and education.

Who Can Apply

Applications are open to PhD students or early-career postdoctoral fellows who are within 5 years of starting their first postdoc fellowship. 

Applications dates:
1 October – 15 November, 2024

Maximum grant amount:
Africa                       6,000 USD

For any queries, please contact programs@ibro.org

These grants are intended for those planning to attend a neuroscience training course taking place between 1 January and 31 July 2025. 

Applications from students wishing to attend an IBRO-Supported School will not be taken into consideration for this program. Please apply directly to the school of interest via the dedicated application page, as indicated in the relevant funding calendar.

VALUE: ZAR 300,000 for 2025

The University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in the following areas:

• Cardiac research (ring-fenced funds are available for cardiac research)
• Cancer research (ring-fenced funds are available for cancer research)
• Open category: any research area in the Faculty of Health Sciences

 Applicants should not be registered for study towards any degree or for a postdoctoral position elsewhere at the time of assuming the fellowship. Strong emphasis will be placed on the merit of the applicant and the quality of the research proposal. Applications for projects hosted in under-resourced research groupings are encouraged.

Applicants should submit a research proposal developed with a suitable scientific host employed in the Faculty of Health Sciences and if awarded the fellowship should be registered in the Faculty of Health Sciences. For information on the Faculty of Health Sciences and its research activities, see http://www.health.uct.ac.za/

The following conditions apply:

• Applicants who were awarded their PhD degree no earlier than December 2020 are eligible.
• Applicants who have not yet obtained their PhD but have official proof that their PhD thesis has been examined and approved by the submission deadline of 12 November 2024 are eligible.
• Only one application may be submitted per individual.
• Preference may be given to South African citizens.
• Applicants may not have held any previous professional or comprehensive academic posts.
• Successful candidates will be expected to spend most of their time undertaking the proposed research but may be required to participate in limited teaching duties as part of professional development.
• Successful candidates will not be expected to perform any service to the host department in return for the Fellowship.
• Fellowships are awarded for one year. Applications for renewal for one further year will be considered, subject to sufficient progress from the previous year’s award and in competition with new applications.
• The Faculty Postdoctoral Research Fellowship may be held concurrently with another formal research fellowship and/or supplementary grant provided 1) this does not contravene the other funders’ policies, and 2) the combined total funding does not exceed UCT’s capped value for postdoctoral research fellowships. This value changes annually and can be confirmed by UCT’s Postgraduate Funding Office.
• The Fellowship must be taken up by end of February 2025.
• Fellows will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Cape Town, and a Memorandum of Understanding with their research host.
• Fellows will be required to comply with the University of Cape Town’s approved policies, procedures, and practices for the postdoctoral sector.

There are no fringe benefits, thus, the successful candidate is responsible for his or her own medical aid and insurance arrangements. Tax-free status will be arranged with the South African Revenue Service.

An application form is attached. Enquiries and completed applications should be addressed to:

Precious Nobongoza via email precious.nobongoza@uct.ac.za

The Alzheimer’s and Related Disease Core in the Centre for Behavioural Medicine (formerly HIV-Mental Health Research Unit) is recruiting a PhD student. The fellowship is funded by the Donald Gordon Foundation and Race Against Dementia.

The PhD project will utilise existing data from a previous study (CONNECT), and ongoing data collection from the Ingqondo study, to explore the accurate measurement of cognition in low-income areas and the impact of social determinants of health on screening for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The aim of the PhD project is to improve the accuracy and delivery of dementia screening in diverse South African populations.

This project would suit a neuropsychologist or cognitive neuroscientist, but we are open to dynamic candidates from any relevant background.

PhD supervisors: A/Prof Sam Nightingale (Neurologist), Prof John Joska (Neuropsychiatrist), and Dr Anna Dreyer (Neuropsychologist).

Conditions of appointment:

• Open to South African citizens or individuals from other African countries with status or valid visa that allows them to study

• The student will register at UCT

• This is a 3 year full time PhD position (progression to funding beyond year 1 requires

  proof of adequate progress)

• R260-300,000 p.a. tax-free stipend (depending on qualifications and experience)

To apply:

For more information or to express an interest, please contact sam.nightingale@uct.ac.za by 20th December 2024. Pease include a CV and short description of why you think you might be suitable for the position. You will then be invited to submit a formal application, if appropriate.

The Inhibition in the CNS GRS 2025 will be held on the 5th and 6th of July in Maine, US and will be followed by the associated conference on Inhibition from the 6th until the 11th of July.
During these conferences, speakers from all over the world will gather to discuss their scientific findings. At the Inhibition in the CNS GRS we want to foster collaboration, promote diversity, and create a welcoming community.
The seminar program is carefully curated to delve into three pivotal topics:

• the roles of subcortical GABAergic neurons
• the modulation of inhibitory processes
• insights from computational modelling

We want to encourage discussions covering theoretical, computational, and experimental aspects of inhibition at all scales. By organizing mixer dinners, mentorship lunches and scientific workshops, we're determined to create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
We'll match first-time GRS attendees with experienced attendees for a seamless introduction to the GRS community.

Our commitment to inclusivity means we are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented countries, demographics, and labs.
We understand that attending conferences can be challenging, and we want to make it as accessible as possible for everyone.