The Centre for Physical Activity, Health and Disease at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded Dean’s PhD studentship to investigate the effects of environmental heat stress on the respiratory health of older women. Climate change dictates that global average environmental temperatures are going to increase in the 21st century and heatwaves are going to become more frequent, intense and long-lasting. The risk of heat-related deaths and hospitalisations, especially from respiratory illnesses, increases with age, and women are disproportionally affected. The mechanisms compromising respiratory health of older women in hot weather are, however, poorly understood. We therefore aim to develop an exercise model that enables an integrative evaluation of environmental heat stress on pulmonary responses in older people, and assess sex-based differences in physiological adaptations to the heat.
Based in and funded by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, this studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend estimated at £20,551 plus Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.
The start date will be 1 October 2023.
Eligibility
Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in sport and exercise sciences, human physiology or a related field. A Masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Experience in quantitative research in areas relating to human, environmental and / or exercise physiology is essential. Desirable criteria include experience in qualitative research. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section).
Project Details
The PhD studentship will help to characterise pulmonary and thermoregulatory responses, as well as functional consequences of environmental heat stress during prolonged exercise in older men and women. In parallel to experimental work, to guarantee appropriateness, sustainability and translation of our research, this position will involve the setting-up of a patient and public involvement group, and qualitative research to explore acceptability of the study protocol.
The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers who will provide full training for the research. Dr Pascale Kippelen (Reader in Exercise and Respiratory Physiology & Co-Director of the Centre for Physical Activity, Health and Disease, Brunel University London) will act as Principal Supervisor.
For informal discussions, please contact Dr Kippelen on [Email Address Removed]
How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to [Email Address Removed] by 7 June 2023.
· An up-to-date CV.
· A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
· One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation).
· A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities.
· Names and contact details for two academic referees.
· A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
· A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.
Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview week commencing 28 June 2023. Successful applicants will be instructed to submit a formal online application via Admissions.
For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health Medicine and Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Office on [Email Address Removed].
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