Endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension: organ-on-a-chip model

Imperial College Centre for Translational And Experimental Medicine
British Heart Foundation 4-Year MRes/PhD Studentships
Supervisors: Dr Beata Wojciak-Stothard ([Email Address Removed]) and Professor Joshua Edel ([Email Address Removed]). Assistant supervisor: Professor Martin Wilkins

Applications are invited for a BHF 4 year MRes/PhD studentship starting in October 2017 at the Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), Hammersmith Campus. The studentships are fully funded through a BHF training grant made to Prof Sian Harding and it will cover tuition fees (at the Home/EU rate) and a tax-free stipend starting from £22,278 per annum for a total of 4 years. In addition, there is a consumable allowance of £50,000 and £1000 travel award per studentship.

The Cardiovascular Sections of the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, have been united in the new state-of-the art Imperial College Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, where they join collaborators such as the MRC Genetics and Genomics Unit. The present scheme takes advantage of new adjacencies with jointly supervised projects to explore novel areas in cardiovascular and stem cell science.

Imperial College London provides excellent opportunities for research student 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.
Project summary
The BHF 4-year MRes/PhD studentships at ICTEM typically comprises a 1-year MRes in Biomedical Research, followed by a 3-year PhD. During the MRes year, students undertake two laboratory projects which will prepare them for the Ph.D. The overall aim of the project will be to investigate if pulmonary artery on a chip can be used to model vascular changes in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by testing reversibility of endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle cell responses corresponding to vascular pathology in PAH, with the approved drugs.

The successful candidate will join a cohort of Ph.D. students affiliated with the BHF Centres at Imperial, with particular interests in regenerative medicine and novel technologies. They will also link to the wider Imperial College through activities such as the Imperial Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Network.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject from a recognised academic institution. Candidates must fulfil College admissions criteria and meet BHF residency requirements.
How to Apply
To apply, please email Jinata Subba ([Email Address Removed]) with the following documents.

- Your CV
- The names and addresses of at least two academic referees
- A personal statement of no more than 1,000 words explaining your interest in the project

Please assume that your application has not been successful if you have not heard from us within a month of the closing date. Closing date for all applications: Friday, 13th January 2017
Interviews will be held in February 2017