Despite intensive research efforts to improve the outlook of patients with motor neurone disease (MND), significant therapeutic advances have not yet materialised. An on-going strategy involves the development of new and convenient ways to regularly monitor patients over long time-frames. This not only brings about a greater understanding of how neurons change and adapt over time, but also provides researchers with a validated way of tracking improvements to new drugs in clinical trials.
During this PhD studentship, the student will test a novel method based on non-invasive surface muscle recordings that will permit assessments in patients’ homes for the first time. The analysis will focus on key features of neuromuscular activity that indicate the number of functional neurons at a given time. The study design will incorporate a mixture of hospital and home assessments every 6-8 weeks in 20-30 patients, allowing for direct comparisons between the novel method and established markers of disease progression.
The student will combine powerful computational tools with a simplified recording setup to achieve a logistical convenience that does not compromise on the scientific output. In fact, by establishing the means to assess patients more frequently from the comfort of their own homes (e.g. weekly), we anticipate that this will significantly enhance our interpretation of the degree of neuronal degeneration. This is likely to translate into clinical trials of shorter durations, fewer patients and ultimately reduced costs, thereby allowing for a greater number of potential therapies to be tested.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have a Bachelors degree with 2:1 honours (or Overseas equivalent). A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters with Merit.
Start date: 1st October 2021
Further information: www.spiqe.co.uk (our research group’s website)
How to apply:
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT) on Friday 30th July 2021 for Overseas/EU applicants and midnight (23:59 GMT) Sunday 8th August 2021 for UK applicants.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time).
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require one supporting reference. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit a reference directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referee is made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: MNDA-BCN-21
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr James Bashford ([Email Address Removed]) for more information regarding the project and studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Education support team at [Email Address Removed].
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing date: 8th August 2021 (23:59 GMT) for UK applicants.
30th July (23:59 GMT) for Overseas/EU applicants.
(Please note that admissions portal cannot operate deadlines to specific times; only dates, so applicants will be able to submit up to 23:59 on the day you specify).
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