The University of Exeter’s College of Medicine and Health is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence in April 2023 or as soon as thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £18,622 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Medical School at the Wonford site (Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital) in Exeter.
Project Description
Biomarkers are recognized as critical tools for developing new therapeutics, allowing improved and better informed clinical trial design through indicators of target engagement and those that enable patient stratification. In addition, biomarkers can facilitate the evaluation of therapeutic intervention on disease progression or recurrence.
Eyes as a window to the brain provide this unique opportunity for investigating neurodegenerative conditions. New technologies such as Corneal Confocal Microscopy (CCM), Optical Coherence Topography (OCT) and angiography (OCT-A) allow us the possibility of using novel ophthalmic markers as biomarkers of disease severity in hereditary neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Ophthalmic findings are common features of neurodegenerative disorders and, in addition to being clinically important, have emerged as potentially useful biomarkers of disease progression in several conditions. Given the clinical ease of techniques such as CCM, OCT we seek to establish novel ophthalmic markers in patients with neurodegenerative disorders as a potential biomarker for disease stratification.
Clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and biochemical biomarkers have been extensively investigated at our target neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Huntington’s disease (HD), Parkinson Disease, Fabry Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, but none has been established. At the moment, there is no specific treatment exists for this devastating disease. There is an urgent need to discover non-invasive, accurate surrogate biomarkers for disease progression and classification. Accurate classification is essential to identifying which tools are appropriate markers for particular individuals.
This PhD proposal will focus on the discovery and establishment of these novel biomarkers in these neurological conditions. The results of this PhD study will allow us to address these by applying these novel ophthalmic biomarkers as potential endpoints and may present the opportunity to initiate disease-modifying treatment.
Many resources are available to enable the student to make excellent progress in their studies. The project will offer the student opportunities to train in experimental medicine (clinical) research, emphasising eye physiology and pathophysiology, protocol development, working with complex datasets, and engaging with research patients and participants.
This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £18,622 per year tax-free stipend.
Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.
Entry requirements
We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate a passion for clinical research, who has some clinical experience and is keen to forge a career in the field of translational medicine and eye.
The successful applicant for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain a First-Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in a health care related subject and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average. Background knowledge in Medicine, Optometry and Ophthalmology is desirable. Preference will be given to applicants who possess registration with the General Optical Council in the UK. Preferred skill requirements include good communication skills are important and ability to work in a small clinical team.
If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved at least 7.0 in IELTS and no less than 6.0 in any section by the start of the project. Alternative tests may be acceptable (see our website).
For more information and to apply please click here: Award details | Funding and scholarships for students | University of Exeter
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