PhD studentship in cardiovascular science

Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship fully funded by NC3Rs within the Cardiovascular Research Group at the University of Surrey, in collaboration with Professor Chris Denning at the University of Nottingham. We are internationally recognised for our work on cardiac diseases and offer state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies. The student will join a multidisciplinary team and benefit from a full programme of training in research and transferable skills organised by our Doctoral Training Centre. This studentship is for students eligible for UK/home rate fees.

Projectdescription

Atrial fibrillation is a serious heart condition affecting over 43 million people globally, leading to risks like stroke and heart failure. Current treatments often fail and can have severe side effects, highlighting the need for safer, more effective therapies. Traditionally, scientists use animal models to study atrial fibrillation, but these have significant drawbacks, including ethical concerns and differences from human physiology. This project aims to replace animal models with a more accurate and ethical alternative: atrial cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. These lab-grown cells can better represent human heart cells. In this project we will develop novel strategies to culture the cardiomyocytes to promote the generation of tissue with structural and functional properties of the native heart. The resulting tissue will be used to test efficacy of new drugs to treat atrial fibrillation. The successful candidate will be trained in relevant methods and procedures, including cell culture, cardiac electrophysiology, molecular biology/protein isolation and characterisation, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, transcriptomics and proteomics.

The University of Surrey is located on a beautiful, leafy campus in Guildford, just 30 miles from London and benefitting from excellent rail and road connections.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area including; medical sciences, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry or related disciplines.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Biosciences and Medicine PhD.

Cardiovascular research