Current postgraduate opportunities

• Main location: Centre for Health and Population Sciences, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
Refractory breathlessness is a common symptom in the advanced stages of both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Breathlessness is a trigger for unscheduled hospital admission, and acute episodes, particularly those out of hours, and can be very frightening for the breathless person, their carer and health care professional, who often have no plan of management for such situations and thus feel helpless and unable to address this problem in the community. Memory of previous experiences will also have an impact on how people and carers respond to the sudden worsening of breathlessness and interventions such as the administration of oxygen may be perceived as an important “something to do” thus reinforcing the need to contact emergency medical services. The experience of breathlessness has been likened conceptually to the “total” experience of pain. The treatment of breathlessness therefore requires a complex and multipronged approach often provided in breathlessness clinics which may include individual plans for the patient and their carer to help with such breathing crises. Although we have some understanding of the distress caused by breathlessness we know little about how breathlessness and helplessness and the interaction between patient and carer relate to avoidable hospital admissions.

This project will aim to understand the role played by breathlessness in emergency admissions in people with advanced cardio-respiratory disease by the use of in-depth interviews and case-note review. We will also explore the views of patients and carers on the usefulness of individual plans for crisis

LOCATION AND RESEARCH CULTURE
The project will be hosted by the University of Hull’s SEDA Research Group (Supportive care, Early Diagnosis and Advanced disease) headed by Dr Miriam Johnson, Reader in Palliative Medicine and Prof Una Macleod, Professor of Primary Care Medicine. SEDA is part of the Centre for Health and Population Studies at the Hull York Medical School. This studentship will be embedded within a programme of research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research’s endowment to the University of Hull on Inequalities in Cancer and will be supported by the Hull breathlessness research clinic. The successful candidate will join five other PhD students and, by mid 2012, six post-doc researchers

NAMED ACADEMIC
The primary supervisor for this project is Dr Miriam Johnson Reader in Palliative Medicine(miriam.johnson@hyms.ac.uk). Interested applicants can informally consult with Dr Johnson about the project

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
This project is suitable for someone with a degree in health or social sciences.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Pstgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/07/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Health and Population Sciences, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
The number of cancer survivors are increasing, and are projected to double by 2030, so ongoing follow up by specialists will not be possible in the future, and indeed may not even be necessary. There has however been difficulty in assessing which patients would benefit from on-going specialist care and which can be discharged to primary care with re-entry when necessary. In addition, there has been little consideration of how that care may need to be different for patients who are dealing with issues related to social disadvantage. Cancer care reviews are already being carried out in general practice; and we know that many cancer patients are seen frequently in general practice, thus offering opportunity for intervention.

This project will aim to understand the appropriate survivorship care which should be offered to cancer patients who are social disadvantaged and how that care may be different for other patients. Care will be considered in the context of what is known about cancer patients’ needs - which can be framed as physical (due to cancer and /or immediate and long terms of treatment, or pre-existing co-morbidity), psycho-social and informational. This work will contribute to a wide literature on cancer and social disadvantage and will inform the development of appropriate models of care within the NHS. Methods will include literature review, interviews or focus groups with cancer survivors and professionals.

RESEARCH CULTURE
The project will be hosted by the University of Hull’s SEDA Research Group (Supportive care, Early Diagnosis and Advanced disease) headed by Dr Miriam Johnson, Reader in Palliative Medicine and Prof Una Macleod, Professor of Primary Care Medicine. SEDA is part of the Centre for Health and Population Studies at the Hull York Medical School. This studentship will be embedded within a programme of research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research’s endowment to the University of Hull on Inequalities in Cancer and the Oncology Health Centre at the Queen’s Oncology Centre. The successful candidate will join five other PhD students and, by mid 2012, six post-doc researchers.

NAMED ACADEMIC
The primary supervisor for this project is Professor Una Macleod (una.macleod@hyms.ac.uk)Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Macleod about the project

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
This project is suitable for someone with a degree in health or social sciences.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx
Please quote 'HYMSPG/08/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Health and Population Science, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
Outcomes for people with cancer are poorer in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. In general, cancer patients in the UK have poorer survival than those in other areas of Europe or in Canada and Australia. In addition, an important proportion of the poorer outcomes found in England may relate to the numbers of cancer patients who die within the first year after diagnosis. This studentship will therefore study in greater detail the circumstances surrounding deaths within the first year after diagnosis, focussing on how outcomes are influenced by socio-economic disadvantage. The challenge is to understand the pathway before diagnosis in order to ascertain the characteristics of patients who die within a short time period so that we can reduce such deaths in the future.

This project will aim to explore the demographic characteristics of patients who die within one year of diagnosis (e.g. age, sex, socio-economic status), the tumour specific features of patients who die within one year of diagnosis (e.g. stage, treatment, performance status) and the diagnosis pathway features of patients who die within one year of diagnosis (e.g. place of initial presentation, time to referral, time to treatment). Methods will include database review (in collaboration with the cancer registry) and retrospective observational study involving data collection from primary and secondary care records for the period leading up to diagnosis.

LOCATION AND RESEARCH CULTURE
The project will be hosted by the University of Hull’s SEDA Research Group (Supportive care, Early Diagnosis and Advanced disease) headed by Dr Miriam Johnson, Reader in Palliative Medicine and Prof Una Macleod, Professor of Primary Care Medicine. SEDA is part of the Centre for Health and Population Studies at the Hull York Medical School. This studentship will be embedded within a programme of research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research’s endowment to the University of Hull on Inequalities in Cancer. The successful candidate will join five other PhD students and, by mid 2012, six post-doc researchers.

NAMED ACADEMIC
The primary supervisor for this project is Professor Una Macleod (una.macleod@hyms.ac.uk). Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Macleod about the project.

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
This project is suitable for someone with a degree in health or social sciences.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/09/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
Increased cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and a hypercoagulable state, both of which play a role in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. Blood platelets play a privotal role in the atherthrombotic process by promoting vascular inflammation and thrombotic occlusion of key blood vessels. The mechanism linking IR to thrombosis are unclear, but is thought to involve progressive platelet hyperactivity. We hypothesise that dysglycaemia associated with poor glycaemic controils induces platelet hyperactivity. Insulin treatment of patients with diabetes is associated with dysglycaemia, and particularly with hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia variability. While chronic states of hyper or hypoglycaemia per se have a moderate effect on platelet activation through a degree of adaptation, we believe that rapid glucose variability such as from hyper to hypoglycaemia and often found in poorly controlled diabetic subjects may have a more profound effects on platelets leading to accumulative effects.

In this this project we will examine the effect of glucose variability on platelet function and thrombosis. Using hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp established in our laboratory we will simulate rapid changes in blood glucose levels in both type 2 diabetes and control subjects. We will examine (i) how rapid changes in glycaemic index alter platelet sensitivity to activators and inhibitors in whole blood, (ii) whether the platelet hyperactivity is due to a primary platelet defect or a change in the plasma environment, and (iii) examine the role of specific ligands in mediating hyperactivity. These data will provide novel information on the potential role of glucose variability in the pathobiology of diabetes.

This studentship provides an excellent opportunity to receive training in both clinical simulation of dysglycaemia, basic cell and molecular biology techniques (immunoblotting/, flow cytometry, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, platelet functional assays).

LOCATION
The academic work will be based in HYMS Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Hull campus.

RESEARCH CULTURE
The student will join a research team that utilises multidisciplinary approaches to identify new mechanisms regulating platelet function and determine if these newly identified mechanisms can be targets for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

NAMED ACADEMIC
The primary supervisor for this project is Professor Stephen Atkin (Stephen.atkin@hyms.ac.uk). Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Atkin about the project.

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
A 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent) in a relevant degree subject.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/10/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events. The pathology underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a multicellular, chronic inflammatory process termed atherothrombosis that involves the endothelial monolayer of the arterial wall, circulating platelets, leukocytes and inflammatory cells. Endothelial function is thought to be a key determinant of cardiovascular risk in T2DM, but it is difficult to both quantify in clinical practice and modulate in the research setting. It is widely recognised that endothelial function is altered by changes in oxygen levels and oxygen partial pressure. The most common scenario of everyday exposure to this type of effect is commercial flying. The special environmental conditions on an aircraft have several effects on passengers. Aircraft cabins are pressurised to maintain good oxygenation and the cabin altitude is 2438 m, resulting in a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2). The influence of these environmental changes on endothelial function is unclear and requires clarification.

An environment with similar conditions as a flight can be simulated in an environmental chamber, by adjusting the chamber settings to replicate the oxygen and humidity level of a cabin during a typical commercial flight. In this PhD project we will be looking at patients with T2DM and normal controls in the environmental chamber and investigating the effect of “flying” on 1. endothelial function using flow mediated reactive hyperaemia and serum measures using the flow cytometer; 2, on clotting indices using clotting and lysis using a turbidometric assay; 3, effect on platelet aggregation and function. The modulation of these will be undertaken on the acute effect of known pharmacological agents such as aspirin on platelet function as an example.

This studentship provides an excellent opportunity to receive training in both clinical simulation of dysglycaemia, basic cell and molecular biology techniques (immunoblotting/, flow cytometry, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, platelet functional assays).

LOCATION
The academic work will be based in HYMS Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Hull campus.

RESEARCH CULTURE
The student will join a research team that utilises multidisciplinary approaches to identify new mechanisms regulating platelet function and determine if these newly identified mechanisms can be targets for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

NAMED ACADEMIC
This project is jointly supervised by Professor Stephen Atkin (Stephen.atkin@hyms.ac.uk) and Dr S Carrol. Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Atkin about the project.

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
A 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent) in a relevant degree subject.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/11/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, York
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
The effect of function on the form of the skull is a topic of great interest currently and has been studied extensively at the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences at HYMS by means of sophisticated computer modelling techniques. This project, which will be carried out at CAHS, aims to further our knowledge of how function can influence skull morphology by modelling a highly specialised group of mammals - the African mole-rats. These rodents all excavate extensive systems of burrows and are highly adapted for a subterranean lifestyle. Like all rodents, they have a pair of enormously enlarged incisors at the front of the skull. Most species of mole-rat use these teeth for digging tunnels, as well as for feeding. However, the dune mole-rats (genus Bathyergus) dig tunnels using only the long claws on their hands, and as such have smaller incisors than the tooth-digging species. In addition, the dune mole-rats have a varied diet that includes grasses and herbs, as opposed to the tooth-digging species that feed solely on tough roots and tubers.

The successful applicant will investigate the biomechanical impact of the differences in cranial and dental morphology of African mole-rat genera with the use of finite element analysis (FEA). FEA is a computer modelling technique that can predict stress and strain distributions in a complex geometrical structure subjected to a load. FEA is ideal for use in this project as it allows the testing of biomechanical hypotheses without the need for numerous invasive in vivo experiments. FE models will be made of the skulls of a number of mole-rats (in order to represent the different lifestyles seen among extant species) and loaded to represent the action of the masticatory muscles on the skull. Muscle data will be obtained through the new technique of iodine-enhanced micro-computed tomography, as well as by dissection. These models will be used to predict the biting performance of mole-rats to help understand how skull morphology can be influenced by ecology.

LOCATION
HYMS Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, based in York.

RESEARCH CULTURE
This project is in the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences (CAHS). CAHS is a vibrant research environment made up of five research groups, with the common research theme of using a systems approach to relate organismal form and function to development, evolution and ecology. The Centre is characterised by cutting edge applications of imaging, virtual anthropology and in silico approaches to animal simulation. For more information please see: http://sites.google.com/site/hymsfme/

NAMED ACADEMIC
Project will be supervised by Dr Phil Cox. Interested applicants can informally consult with Dr Phil Cox about the project (phil.cox@hyms.ac.uk ).

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
A 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent) in anatomy, dental studies, zoology, anthropology or other relevant subject.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/12/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after he interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Hull
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
Background Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the Western world. The pathologies that underlie coronary heart disease are collectively termed atherothrombosis and are the result of a multi-cellular, multi-factorial proinflammatory process. Blood platelets are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis as evidenced by the success of anti-platelet therapy in reducing cardiovascular mortality. Increasing evidence suggests that blood platelets may be involved in the initiation of atheroma, modulate various inflammatory responses, and contribute to endothelial dysfunction and matrix-degrading processes of coronary atherosclerosis, in addition to their role in thrombosis. Therefore, platelet function may be critical in the development of atherothrombotic risk.

Platelet activation occurs through the stimulation of a large number of exquisitely integrated positive signalling pathways that ensure rapid activation at sites of vascular injury. However, to moderate excessive activation and return platelets to their quiescent state after transient activation, platelets are also regulated by potent negative signalling cascades. In response to blood flow the endothelium releases nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), two potent platelet inhibitors. The marginalisation of platelets during blood flow ensures that platelets are continually exposed to these inhibitors during circulation. PGI2 inhibits platelet function through a cyclic adenosine 3’,5’monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent signalling cascade. However the precise molecular mechanism by which the cAMP signalling cascade regulates platelet function is poorly defined and requires clarification. The identification of mechanisms that influence platelet sensitivity to this inhibitory signalling pathway is critical to understand how effective haemostasis is maintained and may allow the development of new therapeutic targets to combat disease.

In the current project we will use number of molecular and proteomic techniques including SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, immunopreciptation, 2D-elctrophoresis and Mass spectrometry to identify potential targets for cAMP/PKA signalling cascades. This is an excellent opportunity for training in basic cell and molecular biology techniques, and in the study cellular signal transduction.

LOCATION
The academic work will be based in HYMS Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Hull campus.

RESEARCH CULTURE
The student will join a team of three Post-doctoral Research assistants and three PhD students that utilises multidisciplinary approaches to characterising the molecular mechanisms regulating platelet function.

NAMED ACADEMIC
The project will be supervised by Professor Khalid Naseem. Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Khalid Naseem about the project (Khalid.Naseem@hyms.ac.uk ).

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13) for three years and the international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Funding for conference attendance will also be available.

The international fee bursaries will cover full tuition fees for full-time overseas students for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

A 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent) in a relevant degree.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx

Please quote 'HYMSPG/13/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.
If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: HYMS Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research
• Closing date: 02 March 2012

This PhD Scholarship in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research is for the specific project: 'The role of platelet adenylyl cyclase isoforms in thrombosis and haemostasis'

PROJECT DETAILS
This project is aimed to study the signal transduction pathways that regulate the function of blood platelets. It investigates the role of adenylyl cyclase isoforms in the regulation of platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation and their potential influence on development of cardiovascular disease. This scholarship provides an excellent opportunity to receive training in basic cell and molecular biology techniques (immunoblotting/immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, proteomics) and in the study cellular signal transduction.

LOCATION
The academic work will be based in HYMS Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Hull campus.

RESEARCH CULTURE
The project is in the Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research in the laboratory of Prof. Khalid Naseem. You will join an exciting research team currently comprising of three post-doctoral fellows, four PhD students and a research technician. The group utilises multidisciplinary approaches to identify new mechanisms regulating platelet function and determine if these newly identified mechanisms can be targets for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis associated with cardiovascular diseases.

NAMED ACADEMIC
Professor. Khalid Naseem (khalid.naseem@hyms.ac.uk ). Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Naseem about the project.

FUNDING
This PhD Scholarship includes fees at the 'home/EU' student rate and an annual stipend (£13,590 in 2011/12, subject to final confirmation) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
The successful applicant is expected to commence study in 2012.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
A 2:1 degree or higher in biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology or a relevant subject.

HOW TO APPLY?
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx. The deadline for application is 2nd March 2012.

Please quote 'HYMSPG/14/1112' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.

If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of time and venue via email immediately after the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: University of Hull
• Closing date: 09 March 2012

PROJECT DETAILS
A PhD studentship position is available to study the signal transduction pathways that regulate the function of blood platelets. In this project we will investigate the role of scavenger receptors in the regulation of platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation and their potential influence on development of cardiovascular disease. This studentship provides an excellent opportunity to receive training in basic cell and molecular biology techniques immunoblotting/ immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, proteomics) and in the study cellular signal transduction.

LOCATION AND RESEARCH CULTURE
The project is in the Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research in the laboratory of Prof. Khalid Naseem. The student will join a research team currently comprising of three post-doctoral fellows, four PhD students and a research technician. The group utilises multidisciplinary approaches to identify new mechanisms regulating platelet function and determine if these newly identified mechanisms can be targets for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis associated with cardiovascular diseases.

NAMED ACADEMIC
Prof. Khalid Naseem, Head of Centre & Professor of Cardiovascular Biology
Khalid.naseem@hyms.ac.uk

FUNDING
Each full-time UK/EU PhD scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£15,000) for three years depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
This scholarship is expected to commence in October 2012.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
1st or 2i in Biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology or or MSc (distinction) in a related subject

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx The deadline for applications is the 9th March 2012.

Please quote 'HYMSPG/15/1213' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest. If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Interviews for the scholarship will be held as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of the date, time and venue via email within a week of the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply

• Main location: Hull
• Closing date: 12 March 2012

This BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship is for the specific project: 'Electroactive biomolecular wires for rapid and online, non-invasive detection of diabetic and pre-diabetic conditions’

PROJECT DETAILS
Diabetes mellitus is on the increase in the UK, with contributory factors including obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet and genetic predispositions. The main costs associated with its treatment is approximately 5% of the total NHS budget.
This three-year PhD Industrial CASE studentship, funded by the BBSRC in association with Boots the Chemist, Plc, is available to synthesise redox-active, biochemical receptors to specific biomarkers that are clinical chemical hallmarks of these conditions, chemically “wire” these to electrode surfaces, and examine their clinical utility.

LOCATION
The academic work will be based in HYMS at the University of Hull campus.

RESEARCH CULTURE
You will join a research team in Hull city campus with new facilities and excellent reputation for diabetes, endocrine diseases and ion channel research.

NAMED ACADEMIC
Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology (Stephen.atkin@hyms.ac.uk). Interested applicants can informally consult with Professor Atkin about the project.

FUNDING
This PhD Scholarship includes fees at the 'home/EU' student rate and an annual tax-free stipend (£13,290 in 2011/12, subject to final confirmation) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

START DATE
The successful applicant is expected to commence study in 2012.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Applicants for this position should have a good BSc (Class I or II) or MSc in chemistry, with experience either in organic synthesis or electrochemistry.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST BE submitted to the HYMS Postgraduate Centre via the online application method: http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying-for-postgraduate-study.aspx. .

Please quote 'HYMSPG/06/1112' with the scholarship title when applying. In order for the Panel to get a sense of your academic background, commitment and interest, you are required to complete the application form in full and provide a research proposal/outline of academic interest.

If you have any queries on how to apply please email postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk.

INTERVIEW DATE
Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of time and venue via email immediately after the deadline. If you are not invited for the interview, it means that your application has not been successful. Please note that we do not offer feedback to applicants who are not invited to the interview.

INTERVIEW OUTCOME
As soon as reasonably practicable after the interviews have taken place HYMS will write to the successful applicant offering him/her the post. Upon receipt of formal written acceptance of the post we will write to notify unsuccessful candidates. Whilst we try to do this in as effective and efficient manner as possible, sometimes the process can take rather longer than is ideal because of the need to recall candidates for a second interview and reconvene interview panels and/or due to routine disruptions caused by leave and other absences. We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused in these circumstances.

• Click here to apply