School of Health, Sport and Bioscience
PhD Studentship
Available for February 2014
Applications are invited for a PhD research studentship in the Bioscience area funded by the School of Health Sport and Bioscience, University of East London. Our vision is to deliver excellent research that makes a difference to health and wellbeing in the local, national and international context. The successful applicant will work in an established research group within the School and will become a member of an active and dynamic academic community.
Project Title:An investigation into the role of novel cyclooxygenase variant proteins in inflammation
Director of Studies: Dr. Samir S Ayoub (s.s.ayoub@uel.ac.uk)
Inflammation is a hallmark of almost all chronic human diseases, including cancer. A better understanding of the processes that initiate and resolve inflammation is crucial to the development of novel therapies. Cyclooxygenase-2 is a key enzyme that contributes to the initiation of inflammation and is the molecular target for many anti-inflammatory drugs. Recent studies also suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 may contribute to the resolution of inflammation. Our current work provides evidence of a novel induction pathway for a cyclooxygenase-2 variant enzyme with phenotypic characteristics predictive of a role in inflammatory resolution. The aim of the proposed project is to use biochemical and pharmacological approaches to further understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of this variant enzyme and to also elucidate its function; potentially providing a novel drug target for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
The Award
The studentship is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and provides an annual stipend of £15,590 (Research Council recommended rate plus £2000 for London costs), payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and research costs.
Requirements
Due to the source of funding applicants must be either home or EU citizens and must have a good honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) or an MSc in a bioscience discipline relevant to the research project and appropriate laboratory experience. Applicants must also have good communication skills and a high level of written and spoken English.
The holder of the studentship will be expected to:
- Complete their doctoral studies and submit their dissertation in a timely fashion
- Prepare papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals
- Participate in and contribute to research activities of the School and activities relevant to their sponsors
- May be required to undertake up to 6 hours of academic support activity per week.
School of Health and Bioscience
Application Procedure
Informal enquiries about the studentships should be addressed to the Director of Studies above. Applicants should contact Ms. Claire Daltrey (hsb.research@uel.ac.uk via the ‘Apply’ button below or 020 8223 4540) to obtain an application form. Applications will only be accepted on the official form.
The closing date for completed applications is Monday 9th December 2013.
Interviews will be held in the week of the 13th-17th January 2014.
For more information about research in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience visit uel.ac.uk/hsb/research.