Fixed-term
Diet in the prevention of chronic diseases: Really so important or overrated?
OVERVIEW Is diet really so important? Critics of nutritional epidemiology have made strong claims that associations between dietary factors and chronic disease risks are driven by biases and greatly overrated. Fortunately, modern data analysis approaches such as mediation, Mendelian randomization, or more data-driven methods will help overcome such biases. Applying these approaches, and accounting for essential, but understudied background factors such as routine medication and genetic predisposition, we will disentangle associations between dietary factors and risks of chronic diseases as well as disease-free survival using large-scale population-based studies. The PhD project will be mainly based on analyses of data from the UK Biobank, a large population-based cohort study. An integrated approach using questionnaire and biomarker data will be applied to evaluate diet in relation to risks of major chronic diseases and life expectancy. As ancillary methods, we will use systematic reviews and smaller intervention studies. Candidates should have a basic interest in modelling epidemiological data, although statistical methods can be acquired during the project, and enthusiasm for nutritional science, epidemiology and prevention is most important. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with partners in Heidelberg (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland), and Lyon (France), with opportunities for short-term research visits. The project will be supervised by Dr. Tilman Kuhn and co-supervised by Prof. Aedin Cassidy. 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.
Understanding the ecology and coevolution of aphids and parasitoids to improve natural biocontrol measures in field crops
OVERVIEW Parasitoids are insects that play a fundamental ecological role in both natural and agricultural ecosystems by regulating the population of herbivore pests, such as aphids. Despite much work on the ecology and evolution of parasitoids, research has so far ignored that there are remarkable differences in the reproductive strategies across both parasitoid species and host species, which in part should reflect the coevolutionary arm race between them. As a result, we still ignore to what extent the demography of the enemy (the parasitoid) is adapted to that of the host (the crop pest) and viceversa. Parasitoid species also differ in their degree of specialization to the host (i.e. whether they can parasitize one or multiple host species). However, we still have a poor understanding of how degree of specialisation facilitates or undermines population persistence of parasitoids in the environment. Moreover, it is currently unknown whether more patchy and diverse environments offer refuge points for parasitoids as opposed to more homogeneous environments. Finally, our understanding of how populations of crop pest hosts and their parasitoids will respond to predicted climate change is currently very limited, undermining our ability to adapt to climate change and improve food security from field crops. Project design – The student will address these fundamental questions using a powerful combination of approaches. Specifically, the student will: 1. Derive general principles using phylogenetic comparative methods by investigating questions at the global scale across hundreds of parasitoid species and their hosts, on (i) how different reproductive strategies evolved in hosts and in parasitoids, and coevolved between them; (ii) how the degree of host specialisation affects the population dynamics in both hosts and parasitoids. 2. Run experiments with plants, pests and parasitoids in controlled environmental conditions to test the hypotheses to investigate their response to predicted future climate and extreme climatic events. 3. Run field trials to investigate whether habitat patchiness supports parasitoid populations better than uniform habitats, using the agri-environments and a cereal-aphid-parasitoid complex as models in both natural and agri-environments. Importantly, the project is designed to offer the student the opportunity to expand or reduce the experimental and field components as best suited to their interests or as needed. This project is therefore truly suitable to everyone interested in the ecology and coevolution of hosts and their natural enemies. Project outputs – The results of this project will not only unravel fundamental ecological and evolutionary principles suitable for publications in top journals, but, by using agri-environments and a ceral-aphid-parasitoid complex as models, they will provide important insights to policy guidelines for a more sustainable agriculture. In fact, while insecticide resistance is an emerging problem in crop pests leading to yield loss, food insecurity and financial loss, nature based approaches to exploit parasitoid populations are increasingly promoted worldwide as a sustainable pest control measure that can replace or reduce the use of chemical pesticides. However, while parasitoids are very effective in glasshouse crops, their effectiveness in field crops is variable and unpredictable. This project will investigate possible ecological principles that may explain how, why and when parasitoids may succeed or fail in controlling crop pests, and will provide clear guidelines on how to overcome the challenges so far encountered in exploiting effectively parasitoids as biocontrol agents in the field. Training opportunities: The student will have the rare opportunity to be trained in many different methods and develop a unique skillset that will increase their employability, while gaining knowledge of fundamental biological and evolutionary principles underpinning important basic science and applied questions. Specifically, the project offers the opportunity to learn: • state of the art statistical modelling including phylogenetic comparative methods; • data collection and management of large datasets; • numeracy; • experimental design and implementation in both controlled environments and in the field; • evaluating risks and uncertainty. These skills have been flagged as highly needed in the sector within and outside academia. There is also the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in the wider collaborative network of the supervisors. Specifically, the student may gain further expertise in mathematical demographic modelling to predict demographic responses for both parasitoids and crop pests under future climate scenarios; and/or taxonomy and sampling of host species and parasitoids across farms in NI. Student profile: The ideal candidate has a first-class degree and a Masters in ecology, biology, agriculture or related discipline; good experience in statistical or mathematical modelling and/or phylogenetic approaches; experience with experimental approaches in the field or lab. 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
The effects of gut microbiome metabolites in modulating enteroendocrine cell function and gut hormone secretion
OVERVIEW Enteroendocrine cells are the most abundant endocrine cell-type in the human body. These are specialised gastrointestinal cells secreting hormones into either the circulation (for systemic actions), the extracellular space (for paracrine signalling), or to the enteric nervous system (for stimulation of nerve endings). The lumen of the gastrointestinal tract is colonised by a diverse range of highly mutualistic microbiota which have various effects on the development and function of the gut-specific immune system. There is some information to suggest that the microbiota interact with enteroendocrine cells but the mechanisms appear complex and at present are poorly understood. Microbiota-enteroendocrine crosstalk may involve the production of multiple bioactive small molecule metabolites which are either directly produced by the gut microbiota or by the metabolism of dietary components. This PhD project will investigate how commensal bacteria regulate the production of metabolites, and how these microbiota-derived products influence the function of several enteroendocrine cell types and the secretion. After careful literature review a comprehensive list of important microbial metabolites will be drawn up, the compounds will be obtained and screened and their cytological actions on enteroendocrine cell lines using techniques such as tissue culture and High Content Analysis. The various compounds will likely be the microbial breakdown products of polysaccharides, tryptophan, bile acids, arginine and histidine, but they could extend to recently discovered microbial metabolites occurring in vegetarian, carnivorous or mixed diets. The project will then undertake detailed mechanistic studies to investigate how metabolites interact with cells and their probable synergistic effects in regulating hormone secretion and human metabolite. 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.
A study of the transcriptomic responses elicited by Salmonella to humectants used in food production – do bacteria have a memory?
OVERVIEW Humectants are used by the food industry for numerous reasons, such as the use of salt as flavour enhancing ingredient. They are most commonly used to reduce the moisture content of a food matrix, leading to a more stable product with a longer shelf life. Ultimately the aim is to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness. However, as consumer concern over the increased risk of detrimental health effects resulting from the over-intake of NaCl, food producers need to explore alternative humectants that can be utilised. Two of these are KCl and glycerol. Salmonella have been shown to survive for extended periods of time in numerous low-moisture products such as chocolate and peanut butter. Previous work has identified the minimum bactericidal concentrations of NaCl, KCl and glycerol towards a panel of Salmonella isolates. Other work has examined the effect of heat resistance post habituation within these compounds, and identified several genes up-regulated in response to NaCl shock. However, information is lacking regarding the transcriptomic responses towards KCl and glycerol humectants. The aim of this study is to compare the response of the model organism Salmonella Typhimurium ST4/74 to sub-inhibitory concentrations of NaCl, KCl and glycerol to understand the mechanisms utilised to sustain viability. Using deep-level RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) the experiment will also allow direct comparison of the responses observed within all three conditions. It is hypothesised that genes involved in sustaining viability at sub-inhibitory levels will also prove important to survival within high concentrations of the humectants. To test this hypothesis, deletion mutants will be created based on genes identified by transcriptomic studies, and viability measured in comparison to the wild-type under a range of humectant concentrations. As recovery of viable cells from high levels of humectants has been shown to be difficult using traditional culture techniques, we propose the use of flow cytometry for the enumeration of cells exposed to humectant stress. The BacLight kit would also allow accurate enumeration of cells. Cells with intact membranes (live) will be stained by the cell permeable SYTO9, while compromised (dead) will stain with the impermeable propidium iodide. It will also allow the identification intermediate populations of cells with slightly compromised membrane, which may then have the potential to repair and replicate should favourable conditions be restored. These will also be characterised by WGS. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry 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.
The role of the histone lysine demethylase KDM4A in post-stress recovery and its utility as a target in breast and prostate cancer
OVERVIEW This project aims to identify specific targets of histone demethylase which are involved in the post-stress survival of breast and prostate cancer cells and determine the potential of this enzyme as a novel drug target. The outcome of this research will not only increase our knowledge of fundamental aspects of cancer biology but will also have an impact on the future development of new drugs and novel therapeutic approaches. In collaboration with Australian National University, Canberra. Cancer cells are constantly under pressure of diverse stresses as a result of their specific tumour microenvironment (e.g. nutrient deprivation, lack of oxygen), re-establishment in a foreign microenvironment (e.g. metastasis, secondary tumour growth) or exposure to anticancer treatments (e.g. radiotherapy, chemotherapy). In order to survive, cancer cells must be able to efficiently recover from these stresses and re-initiate growth. Therefore, the process of the post-stress recovery can in itself be seen as a target for anticancer therapy. We recently discovered a novel crucial role for the histone demethylase KDM4A in activation ribosomal RNA transcription, which is specifically upregulated in cancer cells, but not normal cells. Importantly, the activated level of rRNA transcription is required for recovering from stress. The main aim of the project is to establish the role of histone demethylase KDM4A in the stress-related regulation of transcription, determine the exact set of genes regulated by KDM4A under various stresses and during post-stress recovery and determine its potential utility as a clinical target in models of breast and prostate cancer. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry 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.
Development of novel approaches to study changes in chromatin structure and investigation of the role of rDNA chromatin in malignant transformation
OVERVIEW We have developed a novel in-situ approach to characterising changes in transcription factor binding and/or histone modification which localised at the “open” chromatin. This approach allows us to sequentially visualise and then genomically map changes in chromatin structure and the effects on transcription factors binding under different conditions. This project aims to optimise this approach and use it to study the changes in rDNA chromatin structure during malignant transformation. In collaboration with Australian National University, Canberra. This project seeks to understand the fundamental molecular mechanism by which rDNA chromatin contributes to malignant transformation and to the differential sensitivity of tumour cells to inhibition of Pol-I transcription. Our central hypothesis is that rDNA class switching underlies both of these phenomena and we will test this using an in vivo model of malignant transformation coupled with state-of-the-art genomic and epigenomic approaches. In future we will translate our findings into a broader context of human cancer and develop traceable markers that may allow us to screen for those cancer patients most likely to benefit from Pol-I transcription therapy. We anticipate the outcomes of these studies will have far reaching implications for our understanding of how dysregulation of rDNA contributes to malignant transformation and will provide new paradigms and targets for the development of novel anticancer therapies. The goal of this proposal is to determine the molecular basis for tumour cell dependence on rDNA class switching for survival and sensitivity to inhibition of Pol-I transcription. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry 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.