Fixed-term

OVERVIEW Neurotransmitter-gated ion channels represent well-established anthelmintic targets, yet many ion channel families remain underexploited for nematode parasite control. There is evidence for a neuropeptide-gated chloride channel in the somatic muscle of the gastrointestinal parasite Ascaris suum, however the constitutive proteins have not yet been identified. The recent surge in both the quality and scale of nematode genomic and transcriptomic datasets, in combination with the experimental tractability of A. suum, offer a novel vantage point to search for nematode neuropeptide-gated ion channel subunit encoding genes. There are >100 neurotransmitter gated ion channel encoding subunits in the A. suum genome. This project will employ bioinformatic and physiology approaches to aid the identification of specific ion channel subunits that are most likely to constitute a neuropeptide-gated ion channel. In this approach, the student will utilise the available phylogenetic, genomic and tissue-specific transcriptomic data to develop a pipeline for the identification of genes that encode nematode neuropeptide-gated chloride channels (potential novel anthelmintic targets), and validate candidate proteins through muscle-based physiology / electrophysiology tools. Specifically this project will: (i) Employ a BLAST- and Hidden Markov Model-based pipeline to identify candidate ion channel subunit encoding genes across phylum Nematoda; (ii) Screen candidate proteins for domains/motifs that support their designation as putative neuropeptide-gated chloride channel subunits; (iii) Exploit available nematode tissue-specific RNAseq datasets to identify putative targets that are highly expressed in muscle tissues, and (iv) use reverse genetics and physiology to validate candidate proteins key nematode species. This project has the potential to uncover a novel neuropeptide-gated ion channel for chemotherapeutic exploitation in parasitic nematodes. The project will be part of an international collaboration that offers opportunities for lab-exchange and training. The student and will also receive local training from a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (Dr Ciaran McCoy, QUB). 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 Lungworms in the genus Angiostrongylus are linked to emerging diseases in animals and humans, including through pneumonia, bleeding disorders and meningitis. This project will combine advanced modelling and molecular biology methods to understand how climate change is altering transmission pathways and contributing to global parasite spread and One Health impacts. Angiostrongylus lungworms cause disease in animals (e.g. A. vasorum in carnivores, causing verminous pneumonia and bleeding disorders) and humans (e.g. A. cantonensis, the rat lungworm, causing zoonotic eosinophilic meningitis). The life cycles are complex, involving a wide range of gastropod mollusc intermediate hosts, which are linked to the final hosts through trophic networks. The behaviour of the hosts in relation to climate is likely to modify direct effects of climate on parasite development, and drive non-linearity in responses to climate change. This project will explore the role of climate change in the global emergence of angiostrongylosis, and develop tools to enable prediction and tracking of infection dynamics in complex ecological systems. Methods used will include climate-driven models of transmission potential, to map predicted global climatic suitability; experiments on captive colonies of major gastropod intermediate host species to elucidate climate response norms in transmission-relevant behaviours; and molecular biology including in situ sequencing to track infection in complex trophic networks, with field data collection from Europe, southern Africa and South-East Asia. Insights will be applied under climate change scenarios to predict how distribution and infection risk will change under future conditions, including through intermediate host behaviour and trophic relationships. 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 Members of the KDM4A histone demethylase subfamily, which includes KDM4A, B, and C, hold pivotal roles in diverse biological processes. We propose that these enzymes directly and indirectly regulate transcription of key genes involved in stress response and post-stress recovery. This project aims to identify such genes and establish exact mechanism of regulation. Members of the KDM4A histone demethylase subfamily, which includes KDM4A, B, and C, hold pivotal roles in diverse biological processes such as differentiation, double-strand break repair, proliferation, cell cycle regulation, genome stability, metabolic response, and stress response. Dysregulated expression of these subfamily members is observed across various cancers, including challenging-to-treat pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer, rendering them promising targets for anticancer therapy. However, due to their multifaceted activities, targeting specific oncogenic pathways proves challenging. Both our research and existing literature suggest that these enzymes function as a master coordinator of diverse cellular processes. We propose that these enzymes directly and indirectly regulate transcription of key genes involved in stress response and post-stress recovery. This project aims to identify such genes and establish exact mechanism of regulation using combination of transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility assay, ChIP and investigation of long range genomic interactions. The identification of vulnerabilities stemming from these interactions could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. 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 The many challenges relating to sustainability and climate change are threatening the prosperity of the planet and its people. As a call for action, at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Member States, is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, finding sustainable and efficient ways to provide nutritious food, especially in relation to protein sources, in conjunction with reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock are amongst the top priorities. Emerging alternative sources of proteins from plants, insects, algae, microbes, fermentation, and cell cultures have shown varying degrees of potential as complementary and/or replacement approaches to the animal protein industry with large profit margins. The many challenges relating to sustainability and climate change, are threatening the prosperity of the planet and its people. As a call for action, at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Member States, is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, finding sustainable and efficient ways to provide nutritious food, especially in relation to protein sources in conjunction with reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock are amongst the top priorities. Emerging alternative sources of proteins from plants, insects, algae, microbes, fermentation, and cell cultured have shown varying degrees of potential as complementary and/or replacement approaches to the animal protein industry with large profit margins. Meanwhile, health risks associated with the consumption of alternative food (proteins) have not been well studied and this is therefore a major knowledge gap for the food industry and regulatory authorities. Globalization and the increasing complexity of modern food supply chain structures, from field to fork, have further driven the vulnerability issues. Fraud, allergy, and many other factors could be major contributors to these risks and have caused massive public concern among stakeholders. The project has been closely aligned with the recommendations made by the Food Standards Agency and UK Research and Innovation strategy. By adopting cutting-edge science and developing new multidisciplinary technologies, we aim to deliver solutions against those challenges and enhance our understanding towards emerging food sources. Knowledge will be further shared across the network built across academia and industry partners, eventually serving the global community. This project will exploit the breadth of cutting-edge analytical technology platforms and associated expertise in the ASSET Technology Centre under the UK National Measurements Laboratory programme. It will also exploit the knowledge and experience of the UK food industry through the Food Industry Intelligence Network (Fiin) and increase the current level of understanding of fraud risks in the global alternative protein supply chains. Following engagement with key stakeholders a priority ranking of adulteration risks will be in place and multidisciplinary solutions will be delivered to allow fit for purpose monitoring programmes. This will be followed by further methodology development of the Two-tiered approach with six aims: (1) New technologies in the detection of DNA (SERS/Nanopore combined with CRISPR-Cas systems to develop rapid and portable on-site solutions) (2) Nitrogen-rich chemical adulterant detection (Lab based LC-HRMS will be employed to build databases of contaminants) (3) Identification of adulterant proteins. (LC-MS based bottom-up proteomic workflows will be developed against peptides) (4) Identification of other risks that may arise from emerging food sources (5) Exploration of the advanced application of nanopore platforms, beyond the current DNA sequencing. (6) Integration of machine learning algorisms in data processing Training opportunities: The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, LGC, and industrial partners from Fiin, and Agilent etc. The student will hugely benefit through the globalized network (not only UK but also EU countries and Asian-pacific areas), e.g. IAEA, USP, and receive further support in developing their future career. Students will receive multidisciplinary training including social studies (surveys) and a wide range of analytical tools: LC-MS (Peptides and chemical contaminants), SERS, and nanopore together with data processing with chemometric software and machine learning algorisms. Opportunities for public engagement and communication skills will be further developed through frequent interactivity and workshops with industrial partners and regulators. The student will also be able to attend national and international conferences and exchange/internship experiences in those UK enterprises and EU/Chinese top food science institutes. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The research group members of Dr Wu have been highly internationalized, and we sincerely embrace and value the EDI culture of QUB. We welcome students from all over the world and will continue to support enriching the spectrum of our research community. Specific skills/experience required: Students from biological, analytical chemistry, food science backgrounds of certain degrees (equivalent to U.K. 2.1 or above) are welcome to apply to this PhD project. Lab experiences and knowledge in one of those enlisted areas (Preferred Skills): Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy CRISPR-Cas and molecular cloning LC-MS (For small molecules or proteomic workflows) Advanced Skills (Bonus & priority): Nanopore assembling Machine learning algorisms (Using R or MATLAB) Protein de novo sequencing 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

OVERVIEW Invasive species have contributed to the majority of extinction events globally and their economic costs exceed $400 billion annually. Despite these severe impacts, management actions have been delayed and deficient, dominated by unsustainable, reactive measures that often fail to achieve desired outcomes. This project will characterise global management actions towards biological invasions to better understand and predict the drivers of management success. While the ecological, social, and economic erosion caused by biological invasions continues to escalate, actions addressing invasive species are predominantly inefficient. Current damage costs from invasive species are an order of magnitude higher than management expenditures. Moreover, current management actions are mostly reactionary rather than preventative, with 25-times less invested proactively than reactively. Timely management investments towards invasive species can pay massive dividends by avoiding long-term damage and management costs. While research has quantified disparities in levels of investment between damages and management, as well as management types, there has been no holistic global assessment of management efficacies. This project will address previously unreachable questions relating to (1) the types of management which have had the greatest effect at mitigating negative impacts, (2) the ideal time windows for management efficacy, (3) environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and political determinants of management success, and (4) combinations of management approaches which synergise to achieve the most effective outcomes. To realise its aim, this project will harness global assessments of economic/ecological impacts and dynamics of biological invasions. Together, these areas address a major knowledge gap in fundamental and applied invasion science within an urgent area surrounding management efficacy. 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 The project aims to create a new biosystem that mimics the human digestive system. This innovation is important because it can help us better understand how our intestines work and improve the development of new medications. The project aims to create a new biosystem that mimics the human digestive system. This innovation is important because it can help us better understand how our intestines work and improve the development of new medications. Designing synthetic tissues that can fully replicate complex organ functions is challenging. I aim to overcome these difficulties through engineering and chemistry. This model will be built using advanced techniques to create a scaffold resembling the tiny structures in the small intestines. I will embed synthetic cells to simulate real intestinal functions. An interesting aspect of this research is testing how this artificial intestine can allow peptides—molecules important for drug development—to pass through, which is crucial for making oral medications more effective. I also plan to explore new ways to deliver drugs more precisely and efficiently, potentially leading to better treatments. This research could significantly impact several fields. It has the potential to advance medical research (e.g., disease modelling), tissue engineering (e.g., bioengineered intestinal tissues to support or repair damaged intestines), gut microbiome interaction (e.g., integrating synthetic and natural intestine to study and modulate microbiome interactions), and our understanding of cell organisation in complex structures through a “learning by building” approach. 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 New feed technologies are required to increase efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of primary food production, helping animal-based sectors meet the challenges of future policy changes. The gastrointestinal tract is lined by a monolayer of epithelial cells that play a key role in immunological defence and nutrient absorption processes, with the epithelial layer connected by tight junctions that act as a physical barrier to passage from the intestinal lumen. As an important determinant of intestinal permeation, the bioavailability of nutrients is dependent on the quality of epithelial layer barrier functioning. Dietary components have been shown to impact the integrity of epithelial cells modulating protein expression profiles and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. This project will aim to develop new knowledge on the effects of key dietary components on the intestinal environment with the objectives of informing the design and development of new improved formulated feeds for commercial applications which will enhance production efficiency. In vitro intestinal model systems and assays will be developed which will help screen and study the impact of various parameters on nutrient availability and transport and assess dietary component effects on barrier integrity and permeability. Validation of observed in vitro alterations will be correlated through performance of in vivo feeding studies in relevant species where biological and production level performance parameters will be monitored as determinants of altered intestinal nutrient functioning and processing. 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