EastBio: Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism and Intercellular Communication in Metabolic Disease

 Dr Nimesh Mody,  Prof Mirela Delibegovic

Application Deadline: 16 November 2026

Details

This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are associated with profound changes in immune cell function, lipid metabolism, and tissue homeostasis. Cholesterol is an essential cellular component that regulates membrane structure, signalling pathways, and inflammatory responses. Despite its importance, the mechanisms coordinating cholesterol metabolism between immune and metabolic tissues remain incompletely understood.

This PhD project will investigate the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key regulator of metabolic signalling, in controlling cellular cholesterol metabolism and immune-metabolic communication. Recent work from our group has identified PTP1B as a novel regulator of cholesterol homeostasis, with evidence that inhibition or deletion of PTP1B enhances cholesterol handling by macrophages and alters whole-body lipid metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms involved and the extent of communication between immune cells and metabolic tissues remain unknown.

The student will examine how PTP1B regulates cholesterol uptake, synthesis, trafficking, and efflux in macrophages, and determine how these processes influence signalling between macrophages and hepatocytes. The project will explore how immune cells contribute to systemic metabolic regulation and investigate the pathways that coordinate cholesterol homeostasis across tissues.

The research will employ a multidisciplinary approach spanning cell biology, molecular biology, metabolism, and systems physiology. Studies will utilise primary macrophages, human monocyte-derived macrophages, advanced 3D human liver organoids, and preclinical models to investigate fundamental mechanisms governing lipid metabolism and intercellular communication. The project will generate new insights into how metabolic and immune pathways interact to maintain physiological homeostasis and how dysregulation contributes to metabolic disease.

This studentship is embedded within a major multi-centre collaborative research programme within the Institute of Medical Sciences and six other institutions in the UK and Europe. It will provide an excellent opportunity to work at the interface of metabolism, immunology, and cell signalling. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in advanced cell culture techniques, organoid models, molecular biology, flow cytometry, microscopy, metabolomics, lipid and cholesterol analysis, experimental design, bioinformatics, statistics, and scientific communication. The student will develop expertise in cutting-edge approaches used to study metabolic regulation and gain the skills required for careers in academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or other sectors within the life sciences.

This project may be availiable to study part-time.

Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.

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ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.

1. Application submission

Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Send your application as a single email with the subject line: “EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”

2. Required documents

Your application email must include the following:

• Completed EASTBIO application form
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Two references (one reference may be non-academic)

3. References

All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).

References can be either:

• Included with your application, or
• Sent directly by referees to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “EASTBIO Reference – [Your Name]”

All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 16th December 2025.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.

Important notes

• No research proposal is required.
• Do not include any additional documents (for example, school certificates, conference papers, or dissertations).
• Incomplete applications or those including unnecessary materials will not be considered.
• Due to workload constraints, we are unable to follow up on missing documents or process incomplete applications.
• All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.
• Please do not query the status of your application. You will be informed of the outcome in due course.
• We will confirm receipt of your applications upon processing. Due to the high volume of applications, this may not be until after the deadline. We ask that you please refrain from contacting us regarding updates or to see if your application has been received.

For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

This fully funded, four-year PhD project is offered as part of a competition within the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. The opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, although the proportion of international students recruited through the EASTBIO DTP is capped at 30% by UKRI BBSRC.

EASTBIO studentships provide a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (estimated at £22,437 for the 2026/27 academic year), a training grant of £5,000 per year for the first three years (and £1,500 in the fourth year), and a travel and conference allowance of £230 per year.

Please note that EASTBIO is unable to fund visa costs or associated healthcare surcharges for international students.