Fixed-term

OVERVIEW Why do some young individuals stay with their maternal group while others quickly establish themselves as independent? What are the causes and fitness consequences of this key difference in life-history strategy? This project will investigate these questions using free-ranging male fallow deer fawns as the model. As in many species including humans, there is considerable variation in the age at which the young leave their mother. Why is this the case? What are the causes for this decision to leave or not? Further, the consequences for the development of the young, its future survival and reproductive success remains unclear. Fallow deer are an ideal model system in which to investigate these questions. From birth young fallow deer go through several life-critical stages. While initially they are fully dependent on the mother for nutrition, fawns experience a gradual withdrawal of this maternal investment until fully weaned at about six months of age. The mothers decision regarding when and how much to restrict resources impacts on fawn growth influencing adult body size whilst also affecting the fawns over-winter survival. Weaning also coincides with a change in the fawns behaviour; specifically, a decline in social contact with the mother and a broadening of social networks involving other fawns and adults. For males in particular, withdrawal of investment promotes dispersal from the female herd and integration into male-only bachelor groups containing older males. This project investigates why some males disperse and others do not in a large free-ranging population of fallow deer. Specifically, whether males that disperse invest in more in growth prior to dispersal, whether dispersing males have a bolder personality style, and whether they have wider social networks (i.e. greater levels of socialisation) than males that remain in the maternal group. 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 This project is the first study to investigate functional food with high content of odd-chain fatty acids in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Novel findings from this project will lend support to the food industry to develop products rich in odd-chain fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Background: Perturbation of lipid metabolism is closely associated with the development of metabolic disease. Human cohort studies have demonstrated the important biological significance of odd-chain fatty acids in human diseases. For instance, odd-chain fatty acids, C17:0 and C15:0, have been shown to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis via increase the fluidity of membranes to a similar degree as polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, the effect of odd-chain fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is unclear. Objective and Specific Aims: The overarching goal of this project is to define the extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated non-coding RNAs induced by odd chain fatty acids as key determinants on the metabolic remodelling of cardiomyocyte and arterial endothelial cell and explore the therapeutic potential of odd-chain fatty acids on CVD. Aim-1: Determine the effect of odd-chain fatty acids on mitochondrial integrity and fatty acids -oxidation in human cardiomyocyte and vascular endothelial cell. Aim-2: Define non-coding RNA profile associated with the secreted EVs from the odd-chain fatty acids (C15:0 and C17:0) treated cardiomyocyte and arterial endothelial cell in metabolic remodelling. Aim-3: Explore the therapeutic potential of odd-chain fatty acids in animal models of CVD via the mediation of non-coding RNAs. Significance: Novel findings from this project will lend support to the dairy industry to produce dairy products fortified with odd-chain fatty acids which may benefit the prevention and treatment of CVD. 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 expression of members of the KDM4A-subfamily of histone demethylases is impaired in various cancers. Different signalling pathways regulate the KDM4A-subfamily interactome, thereby affecting the biological activity of these enzymes. The main goal of this project is to test this hypothesis by studying the KDM4A-subfamily interactome and post-translational modifications. Members of the KDM4A histone demethylase subfamily (includes KDM4A, B, and C) play important roles in various biological processes by regulating differentiation, double-strand break repair, proliferation, cell cycle, genome stability, metabolic response, and stress response. Expression of members of the KDM4A subfamily is impaired in a variety of cancers (including difficult-to-treat pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer). Members of the KDM4A subfamily are viewed by many as a promising target for anticancer therapy. However, the pleiotropic activity of these enzymes makes it difficult to develop treatments that target only specific activities involved in oncogenesis. Our and published data indicate that these enzymes are part of multisubunit complexes that perform distinct functions. We hypothesize that various signalling pathways (including those that are de-regulated in certain types of cancer) target components of such complexes that influence their composition. This will affect the activity, cellular localization and recruitment of these enzymes. The main goal of this project is to test this hypothesis by studying the KDM4A, B and C interactomes and post-translational modifications using protein mass spectrometry and find out if this represents a vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically. 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 aim of this study is to produce and characterise, using different biosensing and nanoarray tools, novel binders for one health diagnostics. There are numerous anthropogenic and natural contaminants, both chemical and pathogens, within our environment that can affect both animal and human health. The aim of this study is to examine the literature for current and emerging contaminants that may affect plant animal and human health. The use of point of site or point of care diagnostic tools can be a first step mitigation method for preventing further contamination, for example in the food supply chain or the spread of pathogens in the community. This study aims to develop novel nanosensor methods that can be implemented from environment to farm to fork. Different assay setups may be investigated such as EliSpot, 2nd generation lateral flow and nanoarrays for multiple target detection. Different binders may be produced and fully evaluated for their ability to be fit for purpose in diagnostic systems. These systems can be trialled in real life situations. 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 overall aim of the project is the design, construction and implementation of a multi-channel microfluidic bionanosensor for the multiplex analysis of food allergens. There are three key phases in this research project: Design phase, Construction Phase and Implementation of the bionanosensor for determining food allergens in food products as a citizen science approach. In the last two years Covid 19 has by default shown not only scientists but the whole global population the necessity for rapid methods of analysis to be able to combat against disease in particular. Though this is not the only area whereby rapid methods can prove useful in their application. Point of site or point of care testing with real time analysis can be vital for decision making for clinicians, virologists, microbiologists, regulatory analysts, food producers and citizen science in an environment to farm to fork approach. The designed simplicity of these tests as in the COVID lateral flow test allows novice end users such as food business operators to implement rapid tests as a measure of assurance that the environment in which we produce our food is free from contamination to ensure food safety for improved food security and sustainability within the supply chain. Due to increasing legislation food allergens are a major concern for the food industry and whereby improved point of site methods of analysis are increasing sought to prevent precautionary labelling on all food products. Precautionary labelling is also then a challenge for the allergic susceptible consumer in knowing what is safe to consume. A simple testing device is still required for consumers to monitor allergens in food products. The overall aim of the project is the design, construction and implementation of a multi-channel microfluidic nanosensor for multiplex analysis of food allergens. There are three key phases in this research project: Design phase of the bionanosensor, Construction Phase, and Implementation of the bionanosensor for determining food allergens in food products as a citizen science approach. The design phase of the sensor will include selection of target allergens and food products in which those allergens are important. A multiplex lab-on-a-chip will be designed. The construction phase will investigate the most suitable microfluidic design and portable detection system including smartphones for the lab-on-a-chip device. The implementation phase will be the validation of the device for determining food allergens in food products as both a lab-based tool and as a citizen science approach. Start Date: 1 October 2022 Duration: 3 years How to apply: Applications must be submitted via https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php Skills/experience required: BSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Food Science or equivalent. Desirable to have an MSc in a relevant subject. 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