We invite applications for a 3-year PhD studentship in the MRC Centre for Environment and Health and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health.
Our researchers are uniquely placed to produce high quality research, working with partners to translate knowledge into policy and improve population health, supported by a bespoke training programme to ensure they are equipped with the appropriate skills and experience.
We are seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD in “Environmental drivers of epigenetic ageing”:
- Ageing is one of the principal risk factors for non-communicable disease and the decline in physiologic function. It is well established that epigenetic mechanisms lie at the heart of the ageing process.
- "Epigenetic clocks” have been derived from age-associated DNA methylation profiles and are used as a marker to assess biological ageing. Accelerated biological ageing, as measured by these clocks, predict age-related diseases and mortality risk and are sensitive to environmental factors. Epigenetic ageing may therefore underlie associations between air pollution and age-associated disease.
- In this PhD we wish to examine whether long-term exposure to urban air pollution, particularly that derived from traffic emissions, promote accelerated epigenetic ageing among children and adults, participating in two large cohort studies, the Children’s Health in London and Luton and Airwave cohorts (https://police-health.org.uk/).
- This PhD studentship (from January 2023) will be supervised by Dr Ian Mudway and Dr Oliver Robinson, Imperial College London. A strong background in epidemiology, bioinformatics/statistics, and molecular sciences would be desirable prerequisites for this project, which aligns with the Molecular Signatures and Disease Pathways theme within the MRC Centre for Environment & Health and the Air Pollution and Health, Biomarkers of exposure and effect within the Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health.
This studentship is only available to candidates who are eligible for home tuition fee status.
The PhD studentship will cover home fees, a stipend of approximately £19,668 per year for three years and support of research expenses and travel to collaborators and conferences.
For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit PhD Studentships – Environment and Health
For further information on the process please contact Ms Eno Umoh ([Email Address Removed]).
The MRC Centre and the NIHR HPRUs are committed to equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment.
The closing date for applications is 30 November 2022.
Studentships will commence by March 2023.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.