We are seeking highly motivated Ph.D. students to join the INSPIRE Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. Our research develops computational, statistical, and AI approaches to understand and predict brain dynamics across individuals, disease states, and interventions, with applications spanning fundamental neuroscience and precision brain health.
Current Ph.D. positions are open in the following areas:
- Computational Brain Dynamics and NeuroAI — modeling brain states, functional and effective connectivity, neural dynamics, and naturalistic brain responses using machine learning, dynamical systems, information theory, statistical inference, graphical models, and network science.
- Translational Neuroscience and Precision Brain Health — developing individualized computational biomarkers and predictive models from multimodal brain data to characterize disease-related brain states, behavioral and clinical outcomes, and individual differences in treatment response.
- Multimodal and Cross-Scale Brain Modeling — integrating fMRI, EEG, iEEG, electrophysiology, optical imaging, and other neural measurements to study brain dynamics across spatial, temporal, and biological scales.
Prospective Ph.D. Applicants We welcome applicants with strong quantitative and computational backgrounds in Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Neuroscience, or related fields. A strong academic record is a major consideration. Applicants are generally expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.7/4.0 or above (or equivalent), although academic performance will be evaluated in the context of the institution, grading system, major, and class ranking.
Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB are required. Prior research experience in machine learning, signal processing, neuroimaging, neural data analysis, computational neuroscience, or related quantitative fields is highly desirable. Evidence of research independence is strongly valued, including first-author or leading-author work submitted to or published in top conferences or well-regarded peer-reviewed journals, or other work demonstrating substantial intellectual ownership and research leadership. Qualified applicants should email Dr. Nan Xu at nanxu@umd.edu with their CV and transcript. Please include your major/class ranking on your CV, if available, and use “Prospective PhD Applicant” as the email subject line.
Applicants should also apply through one of the relevant UMD Ph.D. programs, including BioE, ECE, or NACS, and indicate their interest in working with Dr. Xu in the application.