Novel therapeutic approaches for ageing muscle

The Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. We excel in high quality research that contributes to improved health and quality of life for older people and animals and alleviates chronic diseases at all ages. Our departments are now seeking to attract highly motivated, self-funded PhD candidates of outstanding ability to join our internationally rated research teams.

The Department of Musculoskeletal Biology brings together the largest group of researchers in musculoskeletal biology in the UK. The Department now houses the newly awarded MRC-ARUK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing. Musculoskeletal biology, and specifically musculoskeletal ageing, is a priority area for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The Department currently comprises 40 academic staff including research scientists, clinical and veterinary staff undertaking basic and clinical research in musculoskeletal biology and human medicine closely linked to our UK National Health Service partners and also to veterinary hospitals.

The most common causes of disability in the ageing population are musculoskeletal disorders, including loss of muscle mass (“sarcopenia”), frailty, weakness and osteoarthritis. A considerable body of evidence shows that skeletal muscle loses power as people age and joint health deteriorates. This leads not only to loss of performance, but also to increased risk of injury through frailty. The mechanisms underlying these changes are progressive and widespread throughout the musculoskeletal system with changes in the biochemistry and biophysical properties of muscle [1] and joint tissue [2, 3]. One of the features of ageing muscle and joint tissue is a change in the ion channel expression [2-4]. This project will quantify these changes in muscle and analyse both the causes and results of these changes using in vitro models. The project will also seek to investigate whether any of these changes can be reversed by pharmacological or nutraceutical treatment.

All postgraduate students at Liverpool undertake the PGR Development Programme which aims to enhance their skills for a successful research experience and career. They are required to maintain an online record of their progress and record their personal and professional development throughout their research degree. The 1st Year Development Workshops encourage inter- and cross-disciplinary thinking and identify and develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and personal qualities that all students require. In the 2nd year all students take part in a Poster Day to provide an opportunity to present their research to a degree educated general public, and in the 3rd year students complete a career development module. Other online training, such as ‘Managing your supervisor’ and ‘Thesis writing’ is provided centrally.

The Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease is fully committed to promoting gender equality in all activities. In recruitment we emphasize the supportive nature of the working environment and the flexible family support that the University provides. The Institute holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of on-going commitment to ensuring that the Athena SWAN principles are embedded in its activities and strategic initiatives.

The successful candidate should have or expect to have an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent). Candidates whose first language is not English should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.