Funded PhD: Role of protein serotonylation in mental health

Project in brief

Major depression is one of the most prevalent and debilitating conditions worldwide, affecting nearly 16 per cent of the global population, imposing a major personal and economic burden. Chronic stress is an important mediator in the initiation of depression and stress has been shown to alter serotonin signalling, an important neurotransmitter. Serotonin-associated antidepressants are used to treat depression; however, the precise role of serotonin is poorly understood. Recent work has shown that as well as acting through classical receptor binding, serotonin can bind directly to proteins, a process called serotonylation. While several serotonylated proteins have been identified the function of these altered proteins in normal physiology or the pathology associated with major depression is not well understood.

The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of supervisors with expertise in neuroscience and proteomics. The goal of this project is to utilise a multidisciplinary approach at the chemistry-biology interface to identify a range of serotonylated proteins and study their functional involvement in depression. The results of this project will generate novel targets that has potential clinical impact through the treatment of depression.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton

Research centre Centre for Lifelong Health

Project themes Mental health, serotonylation, proteomics

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

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 Mark Yeoman

My research is interested in how age-related changes in serotonergic signalling pathways contributes to dementia, age-related motor dysfunction and faecal incontinence. My groups work uses a systems biology approach to study the effects of increased age on the release of serotonin from both central neurons and peripheral enterochromaffin cells and through the use of a range of functional assays explores how these changes link with impairments in learning and memory, motor and bowel function.

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.

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 Nicolas Stewart (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