Fixed-term

Do you want to bridge the gap between fundamental immunology and practical applications in the swine industry? You will work as a PhD candidate on the project “Betere Afweer voor Betere biggEn” (BABE), which aims to improve the health and welfare of piglets. Newborn piglets are highly vulnerable; their survival, vitality and long-term health depend on the early development of their immune system. Your job This project combines fundamental and applied research to strengthen the immune competence of suckling piglets, focusing on two main pillars: optimising colostrum quality through maternal (sow) nutrition; evaluating early-life vaccination strategies. As a PhD candidate, you will design and execute research involving both laboratory work and animal studies. Your work will include developing assays to characterize colostrum and milk composition, performing immunological assays, implementing nutritional and vaccination interventions, and conducting advanced data analysis. Your main tasks include: Setting up and coordinating animal studies and sample collection. Developing and performing immunological assays in the lab. Processing and analyzing complex (omics) datasets. Writing scientific publications and presenting your results at (inter)national conferences. This project is a public-private partnership and you will work in a multi-disciplinary team consisting of researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Utrecht University), division Farm Animal Health (Dr. Lindert Benedictus) and the division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology (Prof. Femke Broere), Wageningen BioVeterinary Research (Wageningen University & Research, Dr. Sandra Vreman and Prof. Annemarie Rebel), and two major industrial partners. Your primary workplace is at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Utrecht. You will also partly work at Wageningen BioVeterinary Research in Lelystad, and some project activities will take place at the industrial partners’ locations. You will be enrolled in the Utrecht Graduate School of Life Sciences and receive training and guidance for your research and professional development, providing an excellent foundation for an independent academic career. As part of your PhD, there are also opportunities to co-supervise Master’s students and participate in teaching. Your qualities You hold a Master’s degree in Life Sciences (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Infection and Immunity). You have experience in, or a demonstrated interest in, immunology and at least one of the following areas: swine industry, nutrition, or data analysis. You communicate effectively in both written and spoken English and can act as a bridge between academic and commercial stakeholders. You are flexible and comfortable working in different locations and under varying conditions. You learn quickly and thrive in a multidisciplinary, multi-site research environment. You hold a valid Category B driver’s license, enabling you to travel to research sites. Our offer A position for one year, with the possibility of extension to a total of four years based on a positive assessment (go/no-go decision after the first year). A permanent employment contract; A working week of 36 – 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University. Apply now As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute. Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button. The application deadline is 27 May 2026. Interviews will take place at the end of June / beginning of July. The application deadline is 27 May 2026.

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a: Postdoctoral candidate for next generation GPCR drug discovery Are you excited about developing cutting-edge drug modalities within an ambitious and interdisciplinary research team? In this position, you will advance an innovative drug discovery workflow to enable the identification of membrane receptor ligands. This project is a collaboration between the Pomplun lab and the Heitman labs and builds on our recent works (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65282-1 and https://www.nature.com/articles/nature20605). Join our team in the https://pomplunlab.com and https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/laura-heitman#tab-1 at Leiden University! What you will do Project objectives are: Develop expression and purification methodologies for GPCRs Develop and optimize affinity selection protocols against solubilized/bead immobilized GPCRs Screen combinatorial small molecule libraries in the developed workflows Validate hits in functional biochemical and cellular assays What you bring We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with: A PhD in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or a related field Strong background in protein expression and purification, ideally membrane proteins Affinity for early drug discovery Basic coding skills (e.g., Python, KNIME, or similar) A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals Scientific curiosity, creativity, and a goal-oriented research mindset An appreciation for interdisciplinary work and a proactive collaborative attitude Excellent English communication skills and strong interpersonal abilities Where you will work Faculty The Faculty of Science at Leiden University is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelors’ and twelve master’s programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. You will work in the modern laboratories of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug research (LACDR). State of the art equipment for the project is available (cell culture, molecular biology lab, automated synthesizers, synthesis facilities, platereaders, biolayer interferometry, etc.). You will receive supportive supervision both for your project, the publication process and your future career. The position is offered in the context of the Oncode Accelerator program which offers embedding in a high profile Dutch drug discovery system.   University Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Leiden also scores very well every year in prominent rankings. This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential. Will you become our newest colleague? What we offer We offer a full-time appointment of up to three years (first contract for 1 year with option to extend to three years). Salary ranges from € 3.546,– to € 5.538,– gross per month  (pay scale 10, depending on experience), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information ( https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions), see the website. What we value Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent. Want to apply or find out more? If you have questions about this position, please contact Dr. Sebastian Pomplun, s.j.pomplun@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl or Prof. Laura Heitman l.h.heitman@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl. Are you enthusiastic about this vacancy? We are looking forward to get to know you. Please submit your application online. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents (all in English): Cover Letter that should contain clear statements about the motivation for the project, the mentioned selection criteria and the personal fit for the position. Curriculum vitae with publication list Copies of transcripts of degrees obtained Contact details of two references Only applications received before 16 May 2026 can be considered. Apply Now

What are you going to do? We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate that enjoys working in a highly collaborative environment for the duration of 4 years during which a thesis needs to be completed.  The candidate is expected to work at the interface of behaviour, neural circuits, and molecular mechanisms to investigate how sleep disruption and sleep loss influences fear memory formation, adaptation). The project combines cutting-edge techniques such as chemogenetics (DREADDs), optogenetics, and activity-dependent engram tagging in mice. These approaches are complemented with molecular and structural readouts such as cFos expression and dendritic spine density, and will link circuit-level activity to behavioural outcomes.  Who are you? You have: A Master’s degree in biology or biomedical sciences with relevant experience in the field of behavioral neurosciences, and strong interest in learning & memory research. Experience with animal (preferably rodent) research is essential. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in (surgical techniques, optogenetics, memory engram technologies, etc). A good command of English (oral and written). Excellent communication skills (indicated by the ability to write scientific papers and deliver presentations).   What can you expect from us?   In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract. 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours. End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance. Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development. A temporary appointment of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will initially receive a temporary contract for one year. After a positive performance and development review, the contract will be extended for the remaining three years. Where will you be working? At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.  Research will be mainly performed in the Neurobiology group at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, The Netherlands in the group of Prof. Robbert Havekes. The GELIFES institute which comprises several other strong, internationally recognized research groups in the field of behavioral neuroscience and evolutionary biology. This project is part of a larger multi-PI programme funded by ZONMW and unites expertise in clinical insomnia, sleep and memory, synaptic plasticity, and stress-memory interactions. For this reason, some aspects of this project will be conducted in close collaboration with project partners at the University of Amsterdam and Netherlands institute for Neuroscience.  Interested? Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway. Please add the following documents to your application:   CV. Cover letter. Letter of Motivation. List of examination marks. 3 academic references. Application Form

Your function While we know that human cognition is unparalleled, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the specific neurons and circuits that support it. This PhD project, funded by European Research Consolidator grant focuses on the function of the specialized neuron types in the human cortex that are vulnerable in Alzheimer disease – layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons and Double Bouquet Cells (DBCs). Our previous work shows that human layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons have distinct physiological and morphological properties that distinguish them from other species and link to cognitive scores. These neurons might play a role of a hub in cognitive networks integrating information from thousands of synaptic inputs. To keep this excitation in balance it must be matched by inhibition. Another human specialized interneuron type – Double Bouquet cell – might provide this inhibitory balance. These neuron types are likely to be critical for human cognition as they are selectively lost in cognitive disorders. In this project you will investigate how these neurons function and form circuits in the human brain, and how their activity translates to more efficient computation.  Team You will be part of our diverse and dynamic team Neurons of Human Cognition at the department of Integrative Neurophysiology at the Center for Neurogenetics and Cognitive Research at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (https://cncr.nl/research-team/neurons_of_human_cognition/) . You will gain rare expertise in live human brain tissue research, using samples obtained from neurosurgery and will apply cutting edge molecular and electrophysiological techniques. As a member of our team, you will: use single- and multi-cell patch-clamp recordings to map circuit dynamics apply viral tools to label neuron types in organotypic slice cultures use bioinformatic tools to explore already existing datasets develop computational models to understand how circuit function translates to better neuronal and network computation contribute to teaching activities (~10% of your time), including supervision of BSc and/or MSc students during internships publish your research and present to the international research community  Your profile We are seeking a highly motivated student with a background in Neuroscience or Biomedical Sciences. Specifically, we require: a master’s degree in life sciences, specialization in biomedical sciences, biophysics or neuroscience prior experience in cellular electrophysiology in brain slices (patch clamp) programming and data analysis skills excellent communication and writing skills in English In addition, we value prior experience in: molecular biology, cell and organotypic culturing techniques computational modeling statistical analysis of big datasets As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognizing that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. We realize that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. What do we offer? A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: a salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience a position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples: a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus contribution to commuting expenses optional model for designing a personalized benefits package solid pension scheme (ABP) Interested Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our team? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application through the VU application system before June 1, 2025. Please submit your cv, motivation letter, reference contacts or reference letters, and a copy of your master’s diploma as part of the application process. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated. If you have additional questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact: dr. Natalia Goriounova (n.a.goriounova@vu.nl).  Please do not apply through mail, only applications through the VU application system will be considered. Apply Now

Your function Project description While we know that human cognition is unparalleled, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the specific neurons and circuits that support it. This PhD project, funded by European Research Consolidator grant focuses on the function of the specialized neuron types in the human cortex that are vulnerable in Alzheimer disease – layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons and Double Bouquet Cells (DBCs). Our previous work shows that human layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons have distinct physiological and morphological properties that distinguish them from other species and link to cognitive scores. These neurons might play a role of a hub in cognitive networks integrating information from thousands of synaptic inputs. To keep this excitation in balance it must be matched by inhibition. Another human specialized interneuron type – Double Bouquet cell – might provide this inhibitory balance. These neuron types are likely to be critical for human cognition as they are selectively lost in cognitive disorders. In this project you will investigate how these neurons function and form circuits in the human brain, and how their activity translates to more efficient computation. Team You will be part of our diverse and dynamic team Neurons of Human Cognition (PI dr. Natalia Goriounova) at the department of Integrative Neurophysiology at the Center for Neurogenetics and Cognitive Research at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (https://cncr.nl/research-team/neurons_of_human_cognition/) . You will gain rare expertise in live human brain tissue research, using samples obtained from neurosurgery and will apply cutting edge molecular and electrophysiological techniques. As a member of our team, you will: use single- and multi-cell patch-clamp recordings to map circuit dynamics apply viral tools to label neuron types in organotypic slice cultures use bioinformatic tools to explore already existing datasets develop computational models to understand how circuit function translates to better neuronal and network computation collaborate closely with the team and external academic partners contribute to teaching activities (~10% of your time) contributing to project meetings, reporting, and scientific discussions co-supervise MSc and PhD students publish your research in high-quality peer-reviewed and present to the international research community Your profile We are seeking a highly motivated researcher in the field of Neurosciences. We will base our selection on the following criteria: a PhD degree in Neuroscience excellent communication and writing skills in English demonstrated experience with cellular electrophysiology in brain slices (patch clamp) solid programming and data analysis skills (e.g. Python) experience in molecular biology, cell and organotypic culturing techniques experience or strong interest in computational modeling an international research profile, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognizing that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. We realize that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. What do we offer? A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience a position for at least 0.8 FTE your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After a successful evaluation, this will be extended to a total of 3 years We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples: a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus contribution to commuting expenses solid pension scheme (ABP) optional model for designing a personalized benefits package Interested Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to further development of our team? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application through the VU application system before June 1, 2026. Please submit your CV, motivation letter, reference letter(s) and a copy of your phd diploma as part of the application process. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated. If you have additional questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact: dr. Natalia Goriounova (n.a.goriounova@vu.nl). Please do not apply through mail, only applications through the VU application system will be considered.

Although cannabis is generally considered a ‘safe’ drug, there are concerns about its increased potency, with a mean THC concentration that has doubled in the last 20 years. This is especially worrisome when a young brain is exposed to cannabis, since the endocannabinoid system in the brain plays an important role in development and neuronal finetuning. Frequent adolescent cannabis use (daily or near-daily) can have lasting impairments in information processing speed and perceptual reasoning, can cause a drop in IQ and result in lower academic achievement in general. Moreover, a link with mental health problems has been observed too. How exactly these associations are causally and neurobiologically related is still a matter of debate. It has been reported that lasting effects of THC exposure during the adolescent period are mostly revealed in close interaction with other factors, like early life environmental conditions, which have been formulated in the multiple hit model for mental health vulnerability. In this project, we aim to better understand how coping with the environment develops after THC exposure and how adverse environmental factors can be at play. We will study animals in so called complex or enriched environments, and under stressful circumstances and investigate their behavior, next to changes in brain plasticity, including in-vivo and ex-vivo electrophysiology (in collaboration with Dr. Marlies Oostland and Dr. Pascal Chameau). We use the vapour method of THC exposure, which has translational value and face validity. The project relates to the framework of the Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH), an interdisciplinary research center at the UvA, where complexity and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban environment is approached from an integrative angle. You will be working in the Brain Plasticity group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Dr. Rixt van der Veen and Prof. Paul Lucassen. Although cannabis is generally considered a ‘safe’ drug, there are concerns about its increased potency, with a mean THC concentration that has doubled in the last 20 years. This is especially worrisome when a young brain is exposed to cannabis, since the endocannabinoid system in the brain plays an important role in development and neuronal finetuning. Frequent adolescent cannabis use (daily or near-daily) can have lasting impairments in information processing speed and perceptual reasoning, can cause a drop in IQ and result in lower academic achievement in general. Moreover, a link with mental health problems has been observed too. How exactly these associations are causally and neurobiologically related is still a matter of debate. It has been reported that lasting effects of THC exposure during the adolescent period are mostly revealed in close interaction with other factors, like early life environmental conditions, which have been formulated in the multiple hit model for mental health vulnerability. In this project, we aim to better understand how coping with the environment develops after THC exposure and how adverse environmental factors can be at play. We will study animals in so called complex or enriched environments, and under stressful circumstances and investigate their behavior, next to changes in brain plasticity, including in-vivo and ex-vivo electrophysiology (in collaboration with Dr. Marlies Oostland and Dr. Pascal Chameau). We use the vapour method of THC exposure, which has translational value and face validity. The project relates to the framework of the Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH), an interdisciplinary research center at the UvA, where complexity and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban environment is approached from an integrative angle. You will be working in the Brain Plasticity group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Dr. Rixt van der Veen and Prof. Paul Lucassen. All about this vacancy What are you going to do? As a PhD student you will develop into an independent researcher, your tasks and activities will include: completion and defense in public of a doctoral dissertation within four years; participating in the design of the research project; performing electrophysiological and neurobiological laboratory analyses, as well as animal behavioral tasks; analysis, interpretation and presentation of the obtained data; reporting of your results at local and (inter-)national meetings and publish in international, peer-reviewed journals; attending meetings within the SILS groups and UMH gatherings; participating in our PhD training program; assist in teaching activities, supervising Bachelor and Master theses, and tutoring students. What do we require? You are/have an enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated scientist with a (research) master’s degree with relevant experience in Life Sciences, e.g. Biomedical Sciences or a related area, preferably with a proven interest in the endocannabinoid system, (social/cognitive) behavior, electrophysiological methods, endocrinological or stress research; experience with practical lab work and have worked with animals before, you are preferably in possession of the Article 9 certificate; excellent analytical and communicative skills and a clear and concise writing style; well-organized, independent, pro-active and perseverant in the face of a setback; last, but not least: a teamplayer, a pleasant colleague in the team and able to work within an interdiciplinary environment. Our offer We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. Your salary will range between €3,059 in the first year to €3,881 gross per month in the last year of employment, based on a fulltime employment (38 hours per week). This sum does not include the 8% holiday pay and the 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable. Important to know Your application & contact If

Project advert Are you ready to tackle a research challenge with real-world impact? We invite motivated and talented graduates to apply for an exciting PhD project exploring how creatine supplementation can be optimised to support brain health. Creatine, best known for its role in muscle performance, also plays a vital role in brain energy metabolism. Yet, the most effective dosing strategies, timeframes and contexts remain unclear. This project will combine human trials, advanced brain imaging, and cognitive assessments to identify evidence-based approaches that could, over time, transform clinical practice. You will gain expertise in experimental design, clinical research methods, data analysis, and science communication, working within state-of-the-art laboratories and with interdisciplinary collaborators across neuroscience, nutrition, and sports medicine. As part of our inclusive and supportive doctoral community, you will benefit from structured training, conference funding, mentoring, and opportunities for collaboration and leadership. We are committed to fostering a dynamic academic environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you are curious, ambitious, and passionate about the topic, we would love to hear from you. Project aims and objectives This PhD programme of research aims to optimise creatine monohydrate dosing strategies for brain health, with a specific focus upon mild traumatic brain injury. This work will systematically investigate how creatine dose, duration, and timing influence brain creatine availability and markers of brain function and recovery. Findings from this research have the potential to inform sport-specific supplementation guidelines while also contributing to a broader understanding of nutritional strategies to support brain energy metabolism following mTBI across both athletic and non-athletic populations. Funding Both Home and International students can apply; however, please note that international candidates would have a start date of January 2027. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5 year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. Eligible international students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding (Band 2 for the year 2026/27). 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 £21,403 for the year 2026/27. 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 ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree in Sport and exercise Science or a Biosciences related discipline. A Master’s degree in one of the subjects will be looked upon favourably, although this is not essential. In addition, being able to demonstrate some laboratory experience (this can include dissertation projects and/or voluntary work) is highly desirable, but is not essential for an application. How to apply Professor Craig Sale will lead the project as Principal Supervisor. Please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor if you have any queries regarding the project. To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sports & Exercise 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: 22 May 2026 Expected start date: October 2026 (home students only) / January 2027 (international students) Please quote the reference: SciEng-CS-2026-27-Concussion Brain Creatine

Project overview Obesity (excessive body fat) is very common, and the number of obese/overweight people continues to rise globally. Obesity causes high blood sugar (diabetes) and high blood lipids that can lead to liver and heart disease. Medicines that reduce our appetite to cause weight loss work for some individuals, but  can be ineffective or cause harmful side effects in others. A complementary approach is to develop medicines or health interventions that reduce body fat accumulation through direct effects in the fat tissue itself. Intriguingly, exposure to high altitude (HA) leads to weight loss and improved metabolic health due to a combination of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and cold exposure. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects, and whether they are sustained upon return to sea-level, is unknown. We recently showed that the oxygen sensing protein networks present within cells are directly involved in the process of new fat cell formation (PMID: 39209825; PMID: 33849008; PMID: 25377876). Even a short exposure to hypoxia, mimicking depleted oxygen levels at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (~5800m), led to weight and fat mass loss. Intriguingly, return to sea level selectively increased the capacity of a specialised type of fat tissue called “brown” fat that burns calories from their stored lipid to generate heat. We hypothesise that directly targeting the oxygen-sensing pathway in fat cells offers an alternative therapeutic strategy to counteract the adverse metabolic consequences of obesity. The PhD candidate will test this hypothesis through the following objectives: 1. Characterise the mechanisms whereby hypoxia alone, or combined hypoxia and cold exposure beneficially and sustainably programmes fat cell metabolism. 2. Determine the mechanisms whereby hypoxia alone or combined hypoxia and cold exposure re-programme fat cell progenitor fate towards beneficial mature fat cell phenotypes. 3. Develop a human fat-on-a-Chip model to mimic conditions of hypoxia/cold to determine conservation of translationally relevant protein targets with therapeutic potential. This project aims to understand the integrative nature of high-altitude effects on adipose tissue formation and function and whether the mechanisms underpinning this effect can be harnessed towards novel anti-obesity strategies. Training: The student will receive state-of-the-art training in metabolic physiology using  high-resolution indirect calorimetry (Sable Promethion Core system) body composition analyses (time-domain)TD-NMR, hypoxia chamber manipulation, adipose tissue single nuclei RNA-sequencing and cutting edge molecular biology techniques (nanostring GeoMX spatial transcriptomics, western blotting, CRISPR gene editing). Key training in cell biology will cover cellular energetics (Seahorse technology), Cytek spectral flow cytometry, on-chip human fat modelling (emulate system) will be complemented with organ imaging (Miltenyi Blaze 3D-lightsheet microscope). Entry qualifications We seek a highly motivated individual dedicated to in vivo modelling and wet-lab based research in adipose tissue metabolism in the context of metabolic disease. The applicant must have a Masters in a relevant subject area (biomedical sciences, physiology, immunology, metabolic medicine, pharmacology) and an aptitude for experimental design, execution and data generation/analysis to publication standard. Experience in flow cytometry, cell culture and molecular skills will be advantageous. How to apply Applications close Monday 1 June 2026 for an October start date, with interviews planned to take place in mid-June 2026. Fees and funding This is a fully funded PhD studentship opportunity, open to UK applicants only. Guidance and support Find out about guidance and support for PhD students. Still need help? Contact Dr Zoi Michailidou on: Email: zoi.michailidou@ntu.ac.uk