Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
PhD Studentship: Tommy’s National Centre for Preterm Birth Research
Supervisors
Professor Catherine Williamson
About the Project
We are seeking a high performing undergraduate or Master's student who has a strong desire to undertake a PhD and join the Tommy’s National Centre for Preterm Birth Research, in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction.
The Centre’s vision is to perform high-quality, collaborative research to reduce preterm birth rates both in the UK and internationally that will improve maternal and neonatal outcomes for preterm birth. The Centre is a collaboration between Imperial College London, University College London, Queen Mary University of London, University of Leeds and King’s College London. The PhD studentship may involve travel and communication between the various campuses.
The successful applicant will be largely involved in the ‘Genomic and trans-ethnic studies of gestation in women of African, South Asian and European ancestry’ project. Supervision will be provided by Professor Catherine Williamson and Dr Peter Dixon, with contribution from co-supervisors at UCL (Dr Julia Zollner) and KCL (Professor Nicolaides). We have a strategic partnership with Genomics England to initially perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) in individuals of European and African ancestry to evaluate genomic susceptibility to preterm birth and length of gestation. We will then extend this work to see whether the same genes increase the risk of premature birth in people of south Asian origin. We hope the data generated by this project will enhance our ability to work out which pregnancies are most likely to be complicated by premature birth.
Imperial College London provides excellent opportunities for research students' training. All students benefit from a full programme of training in research and transferable skills organised through the Graduate School, the quality of which has been recognised several times at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.
How to apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter describing why you are suitable for the studentship and interested in the project and lab, along with the details of two referees to Olivia Barrett ([Email Address Removed]) by 23rd June.
Funding: The studentship is funded by the Department of MDR, Faculty of Medicine for 3 years and covers home/EU tuition fees and a stipend of £18,622 per annum.
Student eligibility: Applicants must have or expect to gain a First or Upper Second class undergraduate degree. A Masters Degree is desirable but not essential. Applicants are also required to meet Imperial College’s English language requirements. Please see the following link: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/requirements/english/
The project aims to start in October with some flexibility to start before or after this date depending on candidate circumstances.