Full time PhD studentship: Intracellular processing of calcium phosphate nanoparticles in human health and in Crohn’s Disease

Ref: 10248
Based in Milton Keynes and Cambridge
Three years from 1st May or 1st October 2017
Stipend: £14,553 per year
Project:
Calcium phosphate nanoparticles form naturally in the gut, and facilitate transport of bacterial peptidoglycans across the gut epithelium. Once across the gut lining, nanoparticles are scavenged by phagocytic cells and their protein cargo is released (Powell et al., Nature Nanotechnology; 2015). This process may be critical in controlling the inflammatory responses observed in Crohn’s disease.

This project will characterise the processing of nanoparticles by phagocytic cells from healthy subjects and Crohn’s patients. The aim is to establish whether abnormal nanoparticle processing contributes to Crohn’s disease.

This studentship underpins a collaboration between researchers from The Open University and the University of Cambridge, and draws on our long-standing expertise in cellular signalling, biominerals and inflammatory responses. Techniques include fluorescence/electron microscopy, and a variety of molecular biological approaches. The student will be required to work with human cells, in labs based within both The Open University and the University of Cambridge.
Further information
This project is fully funded for 3 years (with tuition fees covered for UK/EU applicants) and provides a stipend of £14,553 per year. Applicants will be expected to have a degree (classification 2:1, or higher) in cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or a relevant subject. Good numeracy, ICT, communication and organisation skills are highly desirable. Because the project requires the candidate to work both in Milton Keynes and in Cambridge, a driving license that enables the candidate to travel independently between labs is required. Further details about the project are available at
http://www.open.ac.uk/science/life-health-chemical-sciences/sites/www.open.ac.uk.science.life-health-chemical-sciences/files/files/Bootman-Rietdorf_MRC_studentship%20advert%202017.pdf
How to Apply
Please send an email with your CV, a completed application form http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/mphil-and-phd-application-process and a personal statement (outlining your suitability for the studentship, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date) to [Email Address Removed]


Closing date: 3rd March 2017
Interview date: Interviews will be arranged promptly after the closing date, and can be conducted via Skype if appropriate.


LHCS holds Athena Swan Bronze Status.

Equal Opportunity is University policy.