Current PhD opportunities
A number of self-funded PhD degree opportunities are currently available in the Faculty of Life Sciences. More information about the project and how to apply is available by clicking on the project title. You can also email the supervisor by clicking on their name if you wish to enquire about a specific project.
Advanced materials research PhD projects
Characterisation of adrenoceptor and muscarinic receptor subtypes coupled to potassium channels in chondrocytes from bovine cartilage
Dr Munir Hussain, Dr Maria Katsikogianni, Dr Nadeem Javid
Core and core-shell nanomaterials synthesis for Optoelectronics
Dr Stephen Hickey, Dr William Martin
Microbiology of Hip Arthroplasty Cements
Dr Antony Scimone, Dr Tom Swift
Nanomaterials as White Light Emitters for Low Cost Lighting
Dr Stephen Hickey, Dr William Martin
Oxidic Nanomaterials for High Density Storage in Li-ion Batteries
Dr Stephen Hickey, Dr William Martin
Cancer research PhD projects
Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel polysialyltransferase inhibitors as anti- metastatic agents
Prof Rob Falconer, Dr Steven Shnyder
Design, synthesis and evaluation of protease-activated anti-cancer prodrugs
Prof Rob Falconer, Prof Paul Loadman
Development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for oncology indications
Prof Klaus Pors, Dr Muhammad Wahajuddin, Prof Rob Falconer
Development of chemical tools and bioactive compounds to explore the importance of enzyme activity in cancer diseases
Prof Klaus Pors, Dr Venu Vangala
Development of Naked Mole Rat Colonic Crypt Models to Use in the Search for Bowel Disease Preventatives
Dr Steven Shnyder, Prof Sherif El-Khamisy
Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT): Investigation of the role in acquired drug resistance in colon cancer
Dr Steven Shnyder, Dr Sriharsha Kantamneni
Evaluating Photodynamic Therapy in colorectal cancer using patient-derived organoids
Dr Ibrahim Khot, Prof Anant Paradkar, Prof David Jayne
Exploring the role of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in stem cells of serous ovarian cancer
Dr Sneha Swaroop, Dr Giulia Grimaldi, Dr Ethan Perkins
Investigation of antagonism of multiple RGD-binding integrins as a therapeutic strategy in advanced head and neck cancer
Dr Helen Sheldrake
Nanoparticle synthesis and application in magnetic field hyperthermia for cancer therapy
Dr Philip Drake, Dr Steven Shnyder
New Drugs for Brain Tumours: A Locoregional Implant Brain Tumours
Dr Richard Wheelhouse, Prof Anant Paradkar, Dr Steven Shnyder
New Drugs for Brain Tumours: Defining the Physicochemical Parameters for Optimal Imidazotetrazine (Temozolomide) Derivative Prodrug Activation Kinetics
Dr Richard Wheelhouse, Dr Steven Shnyder, Dr Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala
New Drugs for Brain Tumours: Prodrugs of Diazopropyne
Dr Richard Wheelhouse, Dr Steven Shnyder
Polysialyltransferases as a target in metastatic cancer
Prof Rob Falconer, Dr Steven Shnyder
Targeting the MAPK scaffold protein KSR1 for the treatment of prostate cancer
Dr Jürgen Müller, Prof Rob Falconer
The role of vitamin D3 in treating skin cancer and preventing drug resistance
Dr Mark Sutherland, Dr Helen Sheldrake, Dr Sobia Kauser
Cardiovascular research PhD projects
Beat-to-beat modulation of Calcium-induced Calcium release in cardiac muscle
Dr Munir Hussain, Dr Jurgen Muller, Prof Mark Boyett
Development of a personalized therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Dr Talat Nasim
Mechanisms underlying the effects of activated protein C (APC) in cardiac muscle
Dr Munir Hussain, Dr Talat Nasim, Prof Mark Boyett
Molecular mechanisms of pacemaker (sinus node) dysfunction in ageing, heart failure and athletes
Dr Munir Hussain, Dr Craig Willis, Prof Mark Boyett
Re-purposing established drugs for the resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Dr Talat Nasim
Therapeutic resolution of BMPR2-mediated signalling defects in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Dr Talat Nasim, Dr Raj Gopalan, Dr Khaled Assi
Therapeutic resolution of coronavirus (COVID-19) diseases by natural products
Dr Talat Nasim
Therapeutic resolution of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) by natural products
Dr Talat Nasim, Dr Mojgan Najafzadeh
Therapeutic resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by natural products
Dr Talat Nasim, Prof Colin Wright
Drug delivery and formulation research PhD projects
Analysis of Magnetically Susceptible Nanoparticles via confocal and fluorescence spectroscopy
Dr Philip Drake, Dr Tom Swift
Directed Co-Crystallisation of Pharmaceuticals: developing a predictive method for co-crystallisation
Dr Colin Seaton
Pharmacokinetics Guided Natural Products Exploration for Drug Discovery, Development, Delivery and Therapy
Dr Muhammad Wahajuddin, Dr Sneha Swaroop, Dr Shahzeb Khan
Educational research PhD projects
How has Long COVID impacted on student educational attainment and experience?
Dr Steven Shnyder, Prof Liz Breen, Dr Peter Branney
Neuroscience research PhD projects
Biological rhythms and the dopamine system in cognitive dysfunction
Dr Samantha McLean, Dr Gisela Helfer
ERK5 MAPK signalling in Alzheimer’s disease
Dr Jürgen Müller, Dr Sriharsha Kantamneni
Identifying cognitive and biochemical changes underlying lifestyle risk factors for dementia
Dr Samantha McLean, Dr Ritchie Williamson
Investigation of the extracellular matrix as a regulator of Parkinson’s progression
Dr Stuart Dickens
Neuronal control of appetite: investigating the role of the extracellular matrix in controlling neuronal activity in the hypothalamus
Dr Stuart Dickens, Dr Gisela Helfer
Reproduction research PhD projects
Pathways to a healthy lifespan: investigating the exceptional fertility of Naked Mole Rats
Dr Peter Nicholls, Dr Gisela Helfer
Skin sciences research PhD projects
How effective is 3D reconstructed human skin as an alternative to human skin for permeation studies?
Dr Xiangli Liu, Dr Mohammad Isreb
Novel strategy for treatment of chronic wounds via multi-functional liposomal nanocarriers
Dr Xiangli Liu, Prof Rob Falconer
The role of ageing cutaneous fibroblasts in modulating melanocyte pigmentation
Dr Sobia Kauser, Dr S Sikkink, Dr Farshid Sefat