Fixed-term

Project advert We are seeking a PhD candidate to join a translational research project investigating premature ageing in adults with Phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by impaired phenylalanine metabolism. Although newborn screening and dietary treatment have dramatically improved outcomes, emerging evidence suggests that adults with PKU may experience subtle cognitive deficits and accelerated biological ageing despite early treatment. This interdisciplinary project will explore the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in ageing-related changes in PKU. The successful candidate will investigate biomarkers of oxidative stress, frailty, sarcopenia, cardiovascular and bone health, body composition, neurocognitive function, and quality of life in adults with PKU compared with healthy controls. The project includes clinical research and biochemical analysis with the aim of identifying clinically useful biomarkers associated with ageing in PKU. Participants will be stratified across age groups to examine how ageing trajectories change over time and compared to age-matched controls. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in metabolic disease, ageing biology, clinical research, and translational medicine. Applicants with backgrounds in metabolic disorders and experience in working in a clinical setting with human participants are encouraged to apply. Project aims and objectives To assess whether people with PKU are more susceptible to premature ageing and frailty, as assessed by the frailty phenotype, sarcopenia assessment, quality of life and measures of bone and cardiovascular health. To investigate mechanisms that may contribute to premature ageing in people with PKU, such as oxidative stress and inflammation using biochemical markers and gut biome analysis with an aim to identify the markers that delineate ageing in PKU with the highest yield to translate into a clinically useful panel for assessment of ageing in PKU patients. Funding Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 6-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27 (pro-rata for part-time study).  The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27 (pro-rata for part-time study). Specific requirements of the candidate The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements. The candidate should have experience in working on metabolic diseases, especially PKU, and experience and expertise in performing clinical studies. How to apply Interested applicants may contact either Professor Chris Murgatroyd or Dr Karolina Stepien for an informal discussion.  To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a part time PhD in Biological Science Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.  Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal. Applications closing date: 16 June 2026 Expected start date: October 2026. Please quote the reference: SciEng-CM-2026-27-Ageing and PKU

About the role As a Research Assistant, you will join a highly collaborative team at the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre (SDDC) under the supervision of Prof Erika Mancini and Dr Antony Oliver to deliver a pilot project funded by Blood Cancer UK. The project centres on validating a novel therapeutic strategy for a high-risk subset of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Your primary focus will be generating the critical pilot and mechanism-of-action datasets needed to support a major translational drug discovery grant submission.  Working under the direct supervision of senior lab members, you will execute standardized, pre-optimized protocols to include: culturing and maintaining a panel of leukaemia cell models to map drug efficacy via cell viability and clonogenic survival assays, executing target knockdown experiments, and conducting combination drug screening. You will also characterize how inhibitors induce cell death by running molecular and cell biology assays, including tracking cell cycle arrest, measuring markers of DNA damage via microscopy and flow cytometry, and using Western blotting to monitor protein expression pathways. Ultimately, you will take ownership of running these standardized, pre-optimized protocols to deliver robust quantitative data package endpoints within the project timeframe.  About you Ideally, you will have a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology or biochemistry, though a BSc degree combined with equivalent practical laboratory experience will also be considered. You will possess the practical technical skills required to perform standard cellular and molecular biology assays, including cell culture, viability screenings, and protein analysis. You must be an organized individual with the skills to manage your own workload effectively to meet project deadlines. Excellent communication skills are essential, as you will interact regularly with line management and scientific collaborators within the research team. Experience in handling and maintaining cancer cell lines is highly desirable. About our School In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.  The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.  We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences.  Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website. The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swann Award.  The School of Life Sciences is part of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Why work here Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.   Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.  Find out more about our reward and benefits package.  Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.  Further Key Information  Please contact Erika Mancini (em420@sussex.ac.uk) or Antony Oliver (ao218@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquires. The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.  The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Eligibility Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified and the going rate is £41,500. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend on whether a candidate can make use of tradeable points to meet the salary offered and whether the candidate holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 4 April 2024. The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.  Attachments Job_Description_Ref_43640.pdf Closing Date June 12, 2026 4:29 AM Expected Interview Date To Be Confirmed. Expected Start Date As Soon as Possible. Fixed Term Contract Duration Fixed Term for 9 months. If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to be made to the selection process, please contact us on (01273) 873743 or recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk to discuss your requirements. Apply Now

Details An exciting opportunity is available for a student to join leading researchers at the UK National Decommissioning Centre (NDC), University of Aberdeen, to advance scientific understanding of pipeline corrosion and the dispersal of corrosion particles in marine environments to inform environmental management, policy, and industry best practice. The studentship is jointly supported by industry and the NDC. This standalone project is linked with several ongoing research projects at the NDC and forms part of a wider recruitment campaign for four joint industry‑funded PhD studentships. Project Description This 3.5-year PhD project at the University of Aberdeen National Decommissioning Centre will investigate the ecological role of subsea infrastructure and its implications for marine management and decommissioning. The research will examine how structures such as pipelines and platforms influence biodiversity, habitat connectivity, ecosystem functioning, and invasive species dynamics under different decommissioning scenarios (full removal, partial removal, or leave-in-place). Using existing biodiversity and environmental datasets alongside possible techniques such as: GIS/spatial analysis, oceanographic data, and ecological modelling approaches, the project may study aspects such as habitat suitability, species dispersal, and ecological connectivity across local and regional scales. The research may also explore future climate change scenarios and compare patterns across different marine regions and infrastructure types. Research Objectives The successful candidate will: Quantify the effects of subsea infrastructure on marine biodiversity and habitat structure. Assess the potential for subsea infrastructure to function as artificial reefs or pathways for invasive species dispersal. Evaluate ecological changes associated with infrastructure installation, operation, and decommissioning. Develop evidence-based recommendations for sustainable design, monitoring, and decommissioning practices. Approaches and training opportunities The project may involve: GIS-based habitat mapping and spatial analysis – training in GIS software and techniques Integration of biodiversity, habitat, and oceanographic datasets – data collection and management, incorporation of data for modelling preparation and scenario development Environmental modelling – techniques such as species distribution and connectivity modelling (e.g., MaxEnt) There may be opportunities for fieldwork, but this is not a guarantee at this stage – training for fieldwork methodology and ethics will be provided where applicable. Opportunity for student to participate in the University’s research methods training Opportunity for the student to collaborate with other research projects in this area (e.g. ValMAS, INSITE). Expected Outputs Outputs are expected to include a PhD thesis, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and recommendations to inform sustainable marine management and subsea infrastructure policy. Candidate Background Applicants should have: A good undergraduate degree (and ideally a Master’s degree) in marine ecology, environmental science, oceanography or a related discipline (such as geography, GIS) Experience with data analysis (and statistical methods are desirable). Some knowledge of GIS and spatial analysis techniques, or willingness to learn. Interest in marine ecology, biodiversity, and offshore/subsea environments. Familiarity with ecological modelling approaches (e.g., species distribution modelling) or willingness to learn. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team. We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics. Informal enquiries are encouraged. For further information please contact Dr Kate Gormley (kate.gormley@abdn.ac.uk) Application Procedure Important: We welcome applications from international candidates for this studentship, but please be aware that a successful international candidate would be responsible for covering the difference between the international and Home/RUK tuition fee rates (approximately £22,000 per annum). International candidates must provide evidence that they have these funds available. To apply, please submit the following documents via email to pgrc-recruitment@abdn.ac.uk A cover letter addressed to the supervisor of the project you’re applying for. An up-to-date CV detailing your academic qualifications, employment history, and any other relevant experience. Please ensure your current permanent address is clearly stated, as this will be used to determine your fee status. Clear copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (if available). Evidence of settled or pre-settled status (if applicable) Two academic references. We cannot request references on your behalf. Please either provide us with copies yourself or have your referees email them directly to us. Direct emails from referees must include your full name and the project you are applying for. Please send your application with documents attached as a single email with the subject line: “NDCIF_KG – [Your Name]” The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 30th June 2026. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted applications will not be reviewed. By submitting an application for this project, please be aware that your details will be shared with our external project partners for review. Funding Notes Full funding is available to Home/RUK students only, including stipend/living expenses equivalent to UKRI amount ( £21, 805 for October 2026 starts and increasing each year for 3.5 years), Home/RUK tuition fees, a research training grant (£3,500 over 3.5 years) and research expenses (£10,000 over 3.5 years). Important: We welcome applications from international candidates for this studentship, but please be aware that a successful international candidate would be responsible for covering the difference between the international and Home/RUK tuition fee rates (approximately £22,000 per annum). International candidates must provide evidence that they have these funds available. References Understanding the role of offshore energy structures in ecosystem service delivery: Applying global findings to the North Sea – https://tinyurl.com/3yzh5d2kHaven or hell? A perspective on the ecology of offshore oil and gas platforms | PLOS Sustainability and Transformation – https://tinyurl.com/mr392rdm Apply Now