Fully funded PhD studentship in cardiovascular science: extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular diseases

Project description

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease and a leading cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death in young adults. It is often caused by faults in heart muscle proteins, but how these genetic changes lead to thickening, scarring and electrical instability of the heart remains poorly understood.

This project will use advanced human cell models and cutting-edge molecular and imaging approaches to investigate how extracellular vesicles and other signalling mechanisms mediate communication between cardiac cells and drive disease progression in HCM. You will work with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and supporting cells carrying a clinically relevant HCM-causing mutation, and apply a range of experimental techniques to:

• Characterise how diseased and healthy cells differ in their structure and function
• Study how signals exchanged between cardiac cells contribute to maladaptive remodelling
• Identify molecular changes associated with these signalling pathways that could inform future biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

The project will provide comprehensive training in human cell culture, extracellular vesicles isolation and characterisation, advanced microscopy, cardiac functional assays and molecular/proteomic analyses, offering an excellent platform for a career in cardiovascular research, stem cell biology or translational medicine.

References:

1. Sanwlani & Camelliti. Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiac Cell Crosstalk: from Intercellular Communication to Clinical Translation. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 1-22 (2025).
2. Sanwlani et al, Pharmacological inhibition of small extracellular vesicle secretion by ALK5i SD‐208 via lysosomal rerouting of CD63+ compartments. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 15 (9), e70362 (2026).
3. Johnson, Lei, McVey, Camelliti. Human myofibroblasts increase the arrhythmogenic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 80 (9), 276 (2023).

Eligibility criteria

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.

Scientific curiosity, strong communication and organisational skills, a proactive and flexible approach to work, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential.

An MSc/MRes in cardiovascular/molecular science with merit or distinction and/or previous research experience in molecular biology or cell biology would be advantageous.

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

How to apply

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Patrizia Camelliti.

Initial applications must include the following and should be emailed directly to p.camelliti@surrey.ac.uk.

1. A CV/resume which includes modules taken with grades (or expected grades)
2. A supporting statement highlighting your primary motivation for applying for a PhD studentship and to this project in particular, outlining any research experience and your career ambitions
3. Contact details for two academic referees (include any recent research mentor or supervisor) 
4. Certificates and transcripts from all your current/previous degrees
5. Official English Language transcript (IELTS or TOEFL), if applicable.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly. Interviews are expected to take place in November. The start date is April 2027.

Studentship FAQs

Read our studentship FAQs to find out more about applying and funding.

Application deadline

31 October 2026

Contact details

Patrizia Camelliti

31 AY 04

Telephone: +44 (0)1483 682451

E-mail: p.camelliti@surrey.ac.uk