Fixed-term

We have a fantastic doctoral training opportunity in human immunology, multiomics approaches, and computational biology, due to start in October 2026. Funding for this project covers stipend and fees for students with a home fee status only. The small intestine is the largest epithelial surface in contact with the external environment, and is not only the key site of nutrient absorption and endocrine function, but a highly active immune organ which shapes immune responses throughout the body. The effect of age, disease, and the exposome on small intestinal absorbative, metabolic, and immune function has not been well-studied. Little is understood about how the broad and complex functions of the small intestine, including digestion and the  expression/activity of digestive enzymes produced by the brush border membrane, alter, either during the human lifespan, with a range of environmental factors, or in human disease. This project seeks to understand how human small intestinal function changes with age. We hypothesise that there are broad changes in digestive, absorptive, metabolic, and immunological pathways in the small intestine which occur during growth, development and aging in healthy human subjects. The Gut Chronicle project will generate a richly annotated, integrated multi-omic (bulk, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and epigenetics) chronicle of the small intestinal epithelium across the lifespan. This DPhil project will establish a foundation for understanding age-associated variation in intestinal function and its relevance to health, disorders, and disease. The DPhil student will work at the interface of computational biology, gastroenterology and molecular medicine, using state-of-the-art transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic profiling techniques to map how intestinal epithelial and immune functions evolve across the human lifespan. This project offers an exceptional opportunity to integrate advanced bioinformatics, wet-lab and translational research within a multidisciplinary academic-industry environment. The student will gain experience in both experimental and computational methods, contributing to foundational datasets that will inform future studies on intestinal health, aging and enteropathies. This project will be supported by Dr Mourabit from AMYRA biosciences. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the Enteropathy Consortium, which brings together other AMYRA-funded/co-funded international PhD students to support innovation and collaboration. There may be opportunities to collaborate and travel to Switzerland or Finland as part of the consortium. Interested candidates should contact the supervisors for an informal discussion (michael.fitzpatrick@ndm.ox.ac.uk and agne.antanaviciute@rdm.ox.ac.uk). Further information about the groups’ research can be found here: https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/research/antanaviciute-group-computational-biology-and-tissue-immunology https://www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/tgu/research/oxford-coeliac-network https://www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/team/michael-fitzpatrick TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Students will have access to a wide variety of training and courses within Oxford University teaching and training schemes. As part of this project, the student will split their time between the groups of Dr. Michael FitzPatrick and Dr. Agne Antanaviciute due to interdisciplinary nature of the work. As such, the successful applicant will have access to training in the following techniques: NGS data analysis, single cell and bulk multi-omics, including scRNA-Seq, CITE-Seq, scATAC-Seq, TCR/BCR repertoire analysis, spatial ‘omics and imaging, intestinal organoids, statistical inference and machine learning. The interdisciplinary nature of this project means students will interact with and learn from experts in both wet- and dry-lab research, gaining experience in experimental design, data generation and computational data integration and modelling. In addition, opportunities will be provided for attendance at national and international workshops and conferences, as well as regularly interface with industry collaborators at AMYRA, and the opportunity to visit and collaborate with other labs within the Enteropathy Consortium. Students will be enrolled on the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine DPhil Course, which takes place in the autumn of their first year. Running over several days, this course helps students to develop basic research and presentation skills, as well as introducing them to a wide range of scientific techniques and principles, ensuring that students have the opportunity to build a broad-based understanding of differing research methodologies. Generic skills training is offered through the Medical Sciences Division’s Skills Training Programme. This programme offers a comprehensive range of courses covering many important areas of researcher development: knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, research governance and organisation, and engagement, influence, and impact. Students are actively encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities available to them. As well as the specific training detailed above, students will have access to a wide range of seminars and training opportunities through the many research institutes and centres based in Oxford. The Department has a successful mentoring scheme, open to graduate students, which provides an additional possible channel for personal and professional development outside the regular supervisory framework. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to build a happy and rewarding environment where all staff and students are supported to achieve their full potential. ADDITIONAL SUPERVISORS 1 Dr. Michael FitzPatrick, Nuffield Department of Medicine (second PI) 2 Dr. Sulayman Mourabit, AMYRA (Industry Supervisor)

Overview The Centre for Optometry and Vision Science brings together a diverse range of researchers, but all with a focus on clinically relevant vision research employing the best techniques to optimise measurement of visual function and its underpinning structure.  Some areas of research have been summarised below, but we are open to discuss particular ideas or projects potential PhD researchers may have in mind if it is a good fit with our expertise. Refractive error Refractive error results when the eye grows abnormally so that light does not focus accurately on the retina. One increasingly common error of focus, myopia (short-sightedness), tends to increase during school years as the eye continues to grow and can affect a child’s self-image and may impact his/her ability to participate in sports. Our Centre conducts the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study, which is the largest longitudinal study in the UK and Ireland to examine how children’s vision, in particular their refractive error, changes through childhood and adolescence. Further work is investigating the influence of how much time children spend studying, playing outside and using smart phones and tablets, and we have ongoing clinical trials investigating optical and pharmaceutical interventions to retard myopia progression. We also have a significant interest in hyperopia and the contribution of the accommodation to overcome lower levels of hyperopia.  We are involved in a large international project investigating the impact of hyperopia on learning in schoolchildren in Zimbabwe. Researchers: Prof. K Saunders, Dr JA Little, Dr J McClelland, Dr S McCullough, Dr K Breslin, Dr L Doyle, Dr E McConnell Novel ophthalmic imaging Our group is currently involved in research to develop novel in-vivo ophthalmic imaging including Binocular Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) development in collaboration with Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. This technique uses swept source OCT to generate high resolution whole-eye scans of both eyes simultaneously. Its binocular design also enables clinicians to perform objective binocular functional testing including pupillometry and strabismus assessment. The group also uses both retinal and anterior segment OCT imaging to investigate retina in Down syndrome, and to investigate the utility of OCT for biometric analysis and quantifying of cataract magnitude. We are also investigating retinal cone imaging using a narrow angle Heidelberg Retinal Angiograph (HRA) in the ageing eye and in ocular diseases such as glaucoma and diabetes. Researchers: Prof. R. Anderson, Dr P. Mulholland, Dr JA Little, Prof Kathryn Saunders Visual disorders in Special needs Our group has a strong international reputation for investigating visual processing and optical performance of children with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Techniques such as objective photorefraction, higher order aberrations, advanced imaging, electrodiagnostic and clinical techniques have furthered our knowledge and help influence the diagnosis and clinical management of visual disorders in these groups. The Special Education Eyecare (SEE) Project seeks to improve access to eyecare for children with developmental disability, providing more accessible, extended modes of provision for these vulnerable children in order to make a real difference to their educational development and quality of life. Researchers: Prof. K Saunders, Dr JA Little, Dr J McClelland, Dr S McCullough, Dr L Doyle, Dr E McConnell Psychophysical investigation of visual function The group is involved with a number of studies using psychophysical methods to investigation visual function including: Basic psychophysics investigating spatio-temporal interactions across the field of vision and spatial properties of different parallel visual pathways. Development of novel perimetric methods in glaucoma using perimetric stimuli that scale in 3D. The investigation of the role of the macular pigment in human visual performance in the normal eye and diseased eye. Visual acuity chart design using high-pass filtered letters which has led to the development of the Moorfields Acuity Chart (MAC) in collaboration with Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Researchers: Prof. R. Anderson, Dr P. Mulholland, Dr R Beirne Vision and Driving The group is developing an increasing interest in how visual deficits (acuity, visual field damage, intraocular straylight, low-light sensitivity loss) affects the ability to drive safely. Researchers: Dr J. Little, Prof. R. Anderson, Dr P. Mulholland. Summary Biomedical Science at Ulster University has an outstanding and sustained record of success in research, recognised in the most recent REF2021 to be internationally excellent, world leading and ranked 5th out of 89 UK universities within the category of Allied Health Professions which encompasses the disciplines of biomedical sciences, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, optometry, health sciences and personalised medicine. Our research is not only producing outputs of world leading quality but also credited with having significant global translation, impacting positively on health professionals, industry, the general public and specific patient groups. We are proud to have externally recognised world-leading research environment which scored 100% 4*rating in REF 2014 and 2021. Biomedical Sciences research activities are currently organised within distinct Research Centres: Diabetes, Food & Health (through Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE)), Genomic Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Practice, Personalised Medicine and Optometry & Vision Science. Multi-disciplinary collaboration between the research groups is strongly encouraged and is widespread with research into, for instance, anti-diabetic and antioncogenic aspects of nutrition, the genomics of vitamin receptors, visual deterioration or cancer, imaging of neovascularisation. Our research investigates the interaction between cardiovascular disease and vision and the impact of health and disease, diet, diabetes on dementia, hypertension, autoimmunity, vascular and inflammatory disease, to name a few. The research groups collaborate both internally and internationally on a range of prioritized multi-disciplinary themes in functional foods, gene-nutrient interactions; pregnancy and early life; healthy ageing, musculoskeletal health; drug discovery and delivery, personalized medicine and genomic medicine. The BMSRI has strong collaborations with regional and global pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies and many of our graduates and postgraduates gain employment in the government bodies, pharma, diagnostics, and health care sectors as well as academia and through self-employment. About The Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI) offers a “state-of-the-art” research environment for high profile researchers to undertake internationally agenda setting research in strategically prioritized areas of biomedicine. This research environment within Biomedical Sciences at Ulster has been continually judged as exceptional and world-leading and awarded the highest 100%

Overview The Genomic Medicine Research Group is focused on using genetic knowledge and cutting-edge technologies to improve our understanding of human disease, with a view to enhancing diagnosis and treatment of complex disorders. Our team of researchers are particularly interested in the role of epigenetics, the function of microRNAs and investigation of genetic mutations which contribute to development of disease. Using a variety of in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches, a number of overlapping projects in our group are carrying out ground-breaking research into various disease areas, including cancer, eye disease, cardiovascular disease and mental health. Our work utilises state-of-the-art equipment available in the Genomics Core Facility Unit, including instrumentation for flow cytometry, imaging, PCR, sequencing and methylation analysis. We use several unique in vitro and in vivo disease models for our research, and techniques routinely employed in our research include CRISPR/Cas gene editing, gene silencing, DNA methylation analysis and reporter assays. Our cell biology laboratory work is complemented by bioinformatics expertise within the group to perform genome-wide association studies and other analyses of publicly available datasets. Together, the group members have several strategic national and international research collaborations across academia, healthcare and industry, with an exciting track record of research outputs and conference presentations across the globe. Genomic research is absolutely crucial in the drive towards personalized medicine and tailored treatment for disease and the Genomic Medicine Research Group at Ulster are proud to be making a valuable contribution to this effort. Through our work we aim to facilitate translational medical research from laboratory to clinic, thereby helping to fulfil the great promise of genomic medicine. Summary Biomedical Science at Ulster University has an outstanding and sustained record of success in research, recognised in the most recent REF2021 to be internationally excellent, world leading and ranked 5th out of 89 UK universities within the category of Allied Health Professions which encompasses the disciplines of biomedical sciences, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, optometry, health sciences and personalised medicine. Our research is not only producing outputs of world leading quality but also credited with having significant global translation, impacting positively on health professionals, industry, the general public and specific patient groups. We are proud to have externally recognised world-leading research environment which scored 100% 4*rating in REF 2014 and 2021. Biomedical Sciences research activities are currently organised within distinct Research Centres: Diabetes, Food & Health (through Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE)), Genomic Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Practice, Personalised Medicine and Optometry & Vision Science. Multi-disciplinary collaboration between the research groups is strongly encouraged and is widespread with research into, for instance, anti-diabetic and antioncogenic aspects of nutrition, the genomics of vitamin receptors, visual deterioration or cancer, imaging of neovascularisation. Our research investigates the interaction between cardiovascular disease and vision and the impact of health and disease, diet, diabetes on dementia, hypertension, autoimmunity, vascular and inflammatory disease, to name a few. The research groups collaborate both internally and internationally on a range of prioritized multi-disciplinary themes in functional foods, gene-nutrient interactions; pregnancy and early life; healthy ageing, musculoskeletal health; drug discovery and delivery, personalized medicine and genomic medicine. The BMSRI has strong collaborations with regional and global pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies and many of our graduates and postgraduates gain employment in the government bodies, pharma, diagnostics, and health care sectors as well as academia and through self-employment. About The Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI) offers a “state-of-the-art” research environment for high profile researchers to undertake internationally agenda setting research in strategically prioritized areas of biomedicine. This research environment within Biomedical Sciences at Ulster has been continually judged as exceptional and world-leading and awarded the highest 100% ranking within the RAE2008, REF2014 and REF2021. Furthermore, in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) awards, it was ranked 2nd in the UK, with an overall satisfaction rate of 88%. Our research is carried out in well-equipped laboratories allowing the latest methods to be applied to individual projects. Our infrastructure is managed as Core Facility Units (CFUs) with equipment and laboratories dedicated to supporting pre-clinical studies, controlled human trials with expertise in vascular research, advanced molecular bioimaging/microscopy, bioinformatics, cell technologies, cellular biology, chemical analysis, genomics, proteomics/metabolomics (including mass spectrometry & NMR analysis), ocular imaging and psychophysics, transgenics, physiology and pharmacology. The BMSRI research infrastructure also includes centralized resources for: high throughput drug screening in vitro assays, clinical research & human intervention studies/ trials; the use and storage of mammalian cells and tissues; and in vivo studies and animal models that replicate human disease. The BMSRI uses its estate of equipment, specialist laboratories, infrastructure and internationally recognized biomedical expertise to offer clinical & translational services to Academic Researchers and Industrial Business partners. The BMSRI routinely engages in collaborative research with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biomedical companies and through the support of Ulster’s Office of Innovation, the University has established a track record of success in the commercialization of its research outcomes. Research within BMSRI frequently involves collaboration between clinicians, academics and businesses in the life and health sector contributing to the development and launch of innovative health technologies, medical devices, and therapeutics. In addition to high-spec capabilities such as human genome sequencing, flow-cytometry and tissue culture, the close proximity of our research centres to hospitals permits direct access to NHS diagnostic laboratories, Clinical staff, and expertise in research governance and healthcare economics. The expansion of biomedical research during the last 10 years and more has led to the construction of the £14.5M Centre for Molecular Biosciences (CMB) at the Coleraine campus. This expansion in research infrastructure later led to the creation of a number of “virtual” centres of excellence which are housed within the CMB building, i.e., the Centre for Functional Genomics (CFG), the FEI Centre for Advanced Bioimaging (CFAI) and the Centre for Nutrition & Bone Health whose overall aim is to develop a new “all-Ireland” expert research capability focused on nutrition and bone health, particularly targeted at identifying strategies to prevent osteoporosis. Entry requirements Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second

OVERVIEW This project seeks to discover and develop novel means to push the temporal limits of innate antiviral immunity of epithelial and immune cells against emerging viruses with pandemic potential through a combination of computational, cellular and molecular approaches. Viruses continue to be a major global burden to the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Emerging zoonotic viruses that spillover from animals into the human population represent a clear future pandemic threat, particularly for respiratory infections, or vector-borne diseases driven by climate change. The diversity and unpredictability of zoonoses are a massive challenge in developing effective, rapid countermeasures. One answer to this problem lies in our own innate immune system that has evolved to quickly defend against myriad viruses. However, due to evolutionary and biological constraints such pathways are poorly optimised for sustained, safe activity. Therefore, this project seeks to overcome these challenges and engineer longterm antiviral immunity in both mucosal and systemic tissues against airborne viruses and arboviruses. You will use cutting-edge computational biology and machine learning tools, combined with molecular genetic manipulation of host cells and viral pathogens like influenza viruses and flaviviruses under high-containment to: i) determine the temporal limits of natural antiviral immune signalling pathways in airway epithelial and immune cells; ii) uncover underlying induced RNA and protein biomarkers of signalling kinetics; and iii) identify genetic and biochemical modifiers of these targets in order to safely enhance their longevity. Research Information PhD Supervisors Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility. Career Prospects Introduction Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields). Employment after the Course Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School. International Students For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country. English Language Requirements Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years). International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs. If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree. HOW TO APPLY Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Find a supervisor If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions. To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here. You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors. Apply Now

OVERVIEW We have recently demonstrated the power of using the Drosophila model to determine novel parasitic nematode infection factors and elucidate the genetic and functional bases of host anti-nematode defense. This project will use omics together with reverse genetics and functional approaches to reveal original entomopathogenic nematode infection strategies in Drosophila. We aim to understand the infective process of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and the host’s immune response to infection. Our hypothesis is that EPNs produce proteins which interact with the host immune and metabolic responses to promote pathogenicity during the early stages of insect infection. We have identified three putative virulence factors that are up-regulated early in infection. We will test the hypothesis that these molecules facilitate infection by interfering with the host immune signaling and function and altering its metabolic activity. First, we will determine the combined action of H. bacteriophora candidate virulence factors and P. luminescens infection on the fly innate immune signaling activity and function. Then, we will perform gene knockdown to explore the role of EPN candidate virulence factors on host survival and interaction with the host anti-nematode response. Finally, we will determine the effect of H. bacteriophora candidate virulence factors on lipid metabolism in D. melanogaster. Results from this research will provide critical information on the molecular basis of EPN infection and the nature of nematode molecules that compromise the insect host defense. This information can be used to advance efforts in the biocontrol of agricultural insect pests and vectors of plant and human diseases. Research Information PhD Supervisors Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility. Career Prospects Introduction Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields). Employment after the Course Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School. International Students For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country. English Language Requirements Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years). International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs. If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree. HOW TO APPLY Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Find a supervisor If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions. To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here. You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors. Apply Now