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PhD Scholarship: Molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutics for diabetic vascular complications : Hull, United Kingdom

PROJECT DETAILS:
Damage to blood vessels causes many of the health problems associated with diabetes including heart attack, stroke, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic foot and blindness. Recent discoveries have shown that a novel class of calcium channels, present in blood vessels, are sensitive to oxidative stress and redox status and could act as new targets for diabetic vascular complications (Nature 2008;451:69-72; Circ Res 2012;111:1166-75).

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the roles of these channels in vascular biology and validate these membrane proteins as potential therapeutic targets for diabetic vascular injury. New channel inhibitors will be developed and examined in order to find their potential value in therapeutics.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop multiple highly-sought skills in molecular biology and biomedical research, such as cell culture, real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, siRNA transfection, gene expression, site mutagenesis, Ca2+ and live cell fluorescent imaging, whole-cell current recordings, drug discovery and pharmacology.

The project would suit a good and highly motivated student with a strong cellular and molecular biology background from their degree studies, including relevant research experience.

Hull York Medical School is a joint medical school of two universities: the University of York and University of Hull. The PhD project will be conducted in the Allam Building on the University of Hull campus.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Applicants should hold or expect to gain a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in biomedical sciences.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants who are non-native speakers of English; HYMS requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.0) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

PhD students at HYMS have access to PGTS modules at the Universities of Hull and York for research modules and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

NAMED ACADEMIC
Dr Sam Xu. Further details on this project can be obtained from Dr Sam Xu (sam.xu@hyms.ac.uk).

FUNDING
The studentship provides UK/EU level tuition fees, an annual stipend for three years of around £13,726 per year (subject to confirmation). For overseas candidates (non EU/UK candidates), the studentship will cover tuition fee only and students will need to provide their own living costs.

START DATE
October 2014

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 24th August 2014.

Please quote PG2014XU 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. Research proposals and personal statements may be used in selecting applicants for interview. If you have any queries on how to apply please email: postgraduate@hyms.ac.uk

Please note that this is a student scholarship. If you will be employed by HYMS (e.g. on a fixed or short term contract) for the duration of your study, you will not be eligible to receive the student scholarship as a member of HYMS staff. You should contact Victoria Hill in Postgraduate Admissions if you still wish to apply to discuss different options.

INTERVIEW DATE
The interview date for the studentship is 12th September 2014. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of time and venue via email. 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….

Don't forget to mention Naturejobs when applying.

Job details

Employer:University of Hull

Website:http://www.hyms.ac.uk/postgra...

Location:Hull York Medical School, Hull, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Expires:August 24, 2014

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Undergraduate - Bachelor's degree

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Full-time