PhD Studentship in MosMed CDT: Development of MRI scan methods to image inhaled fluorocarbon gases as biomarkers of lung structure and function

Number of awards:
1

Start date and duration:
September 2019 for 4 years.

Overview:
Lung diseases are a leading cause of death, and new treatments are emerging. Tests to determine patient response to new treatments are essential for disease management, and for development of new therapeutic approaches. We are developing new MRI-based tools to image lung ventilation properties, and this project will involve optimising MRI scanner hardware and scan protocol setup for visualisation of inhaled perfluoropropane (an inert MR-visible tracer), and development of new measures of lung perfusion, ventilation and microstructural properties. The new scan methods will be tested in studies of healthy volunteers and in patients with a lung disease. The project thus involves developing and using new MRI scanner functionality for biomedical and clinical research.

Further details can be found at https://research.ncl.ac.uk/mosmed/phdstudentships/ and at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/

Sponsor:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://epsrc.ukri.org/)

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Pete Thelwall, Newcastle University (Lead).

Eligibility Criteria:
The successful applicant will have a first class or upper second class bachelors degree in physics, medical bioengineering, or bioscience. Prior experience in magnetic resonance and clinical research would be a significant advantage, though not necessary. A strong interest in interdisciplinary and translational research would be a significant advantage.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. Depending on how you meet the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria (https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/help/eligibility/), you may be entitled to a full or a partial award.

How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/).

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk in the application portal must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

insert the programme code 8207F in the programme of study section
select PhD Molecular Sciences for Medicine as the programme of study.
insert the studentship code MOS19-04 in the studentship/partnership reference field
attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code MOS19-04 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.