BBSRC White Rose DTP Studentship - Understanding tissue patterning in a fluctuating environment

As our body grows, how does each tissue control its shape and form? Answering this could help us to correct developmental diseases. One important way that a tissue can control its form is by correctly orienting its cells relative to each other through the plane of the tissue. This ‘planar polarisation’ must often be carried out despite numerous cell rearrangements and divisions. This project aims to understand how planar polarisation is established and maintained in the face of such a fluctuating environment.  

Given the complexity of these processes, computational modelling plays an increasingly useful role in aiding our understanding, while experiments allow us to constrain and test models. Here, we will combine modelling with experiments in the fruit fly wing, where we can manipulate key parameters and explore how this affects the orientation of individual cells and, in turn, the whole tissue. 

This project is suitable for a mathematics/physics student with knowledge of differential equations and mechanics who is keen to apply their expertise to biology, or a biology student with knowledge of cell/developmental biology and genetics who is keen to develop quantitative skills. The student will be provided with an interdisciplinary training in modelling, quantitative analysis and laboratory skills.

The BBSRC WR DTP and the University of Sheffield are committed to recruiting future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and we have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Note: Relocation costs for international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) will be the responsibility of the student 

Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any biological, chemical, and/or physical science, or students with mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions. 

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Programme: PhD in Mechanistic Biology (4 years)

Start Date: 1st October 2023

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed mid February 2023