Funded PhD: Oxidative stress, lipid homeostasis and lifelong health: using 'omics' to identify lipid-derived protein modifications

Project in brief

The World Health Organisation records the top causes of worldwide deaths per annum as heart disease (~ 8 million), stroke (~ 7 million), HIV (~ 1.5 million) and diabetes (~ 1.5 million). Cancer Research UK estimates 10 million annual cancer related deaths and worldwide obesity is at a record levels. Each of these conditions is clinically associated with altered phospholipid compositions in patients.

In cells phospholipid compositions are controlled via a complex reaction network called phospholipid homeostasis. Developing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that regulate phospholipid homeostasis is critical for lifelong health and opens new strategies for treating the most dominant health related issues in ageing societies.

This project will use lipidomic and proteomic facilities to improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind oxidative stress of lipids, subsequent lipid-derived protein modification/ functional impairment and downstream impacts on phospholipid homeostasis. The successful applicant will join a team with a strong publication record in lipidomics, proteomics and cancer research and would suit candidates interested in developing skills in cell culture and HPLC- mass spectrometry, in combination with bioinformatics and ‘omics’ methodology.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton

Research centre Centre for Lifelong Health

Project themes Oxidative stress, lipidomics, proteomics, cancer, phospholipid homeostasis, ageing societies, lifelong health

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Marcus Dymond

Lipidomics has a wide range of applications in projects related to health, disease, food security and energy. I am particularly interested in supervising PhD students who have an interest in using lipidomics to tackle global challenges. Example lipid-related projects might investigate the mechanism of action of chemicals that target membranes e.g. alcohols, drug or other chemical toxins; antioxidant compounds that protect against oxidative stress for health, disease or food security applications; strategies for increasing lipid-based biofuel production; or lipid-based drug delivery systems. Please contact me if you wish to discuss making a PhD application in areas relating to lipidomics or 3D printing.

Dr Nicolas Stewart

Research areas where project applications are welcomed include: 1) Applying nanoLC-MS/MS for the identification of novel post-translational modification of proteins, 2) Developing on-line methods for the enrichment of modified peptides in proteomics.

Prof Melanie Flint

I currently lead a dynamic Cancer Stress Team consisting of PhD students, medical students, masters students and post docs. We study the effects of stress hormones on cell signaling, drug resistance and immunity in breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. My passion is mentoring students with a strong interest in becoming cancer researchers. We welcome driven, enthusiastic members to our team!

PhD Students

Marta Falcinelli Oct 2016-Oct 2019

Haya Intablis Jan 2016-Dec 2019

Maysa Maysa Al-Natsheh Jan 2017-Jan 2020

Gheed Alhity Jan 2019-Dec 2021

Post Doctoral Scientists (as of 2020)

Dr Aya Abdullah

Dr Caroline Garrett

Dr Will Jones

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV and a 1250 word (max) statement outlining (a) a proposed project approach and (b) a personal experience and expertise summary (see our Guide to making your application below).

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. Please note, non-UK residents can only undertake full-time study.

If successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the University.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who are currently studying for a UK degree or who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.5 in each component.

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship

See UK Government guidance for full details.

Funding

Each studentship provides a tax-free stipend for living expenses at UKRI rates (£18,622 per year for full-time study in 2023-24) and covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship (three years for full-time PhD study or six years for part-time (Home students only) study).

Contact us

For any questions or further information about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Marcus Dymond (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

What to include in your application

Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and include the following:

Documents to be uploaded:

copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts (upload in Education section)
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) (upload in English Language section)
copy of your passport (upload in any section)

two written documents as follows:

We require two written documents: a two-part narrative text (1) and your CV (2). To complete this requirement, please adhere to the guidance on this page rather than the generic guidance on the application form. Please upload the following as two attachments rather than entering text in the box on the application form.

Your proposed project approach (a) and personal statement (b): in the Personal Statement section of the form, please upload a narrative (total 1250 words max) that has two components:
- (a) a description of how you intend to approach the project and key questions that will need to be addressed (500 words max);
- (b) a summary of your experience, personal attributes, current knowledge and research skills (750 words max)
Your CV: in the Research Proposal section of the form, please upload a two-page CV. Please also ensure you have completed the two fields requesting supervisor name and project title. You do not need to include a full research proposal; we require a project approach within the Personal Statement section as outlined above.

Two references:

One reference must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study; both references must have been dated within the last year. You can submit your references either by providing contact details of your referees or by uploading a scan of a formal signed reference.

How to start your online application

To start your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' (Home students shortlisted for interview will have the option of changing their preferred mode of study to 'part-time')
6. Select 'Doctoral College'
7. Select ‘Applied Sciences studentship’
8. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now