Unravelling the mechanism by which dietary nitrate improves human skeletal muscle function

The Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry (PUPSMD) are seeking to attract PhD candidates of outstanding ability to join their exciting and rapidly expanding programme of internationally-rated research.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates with a 2i or 1st class degree in biochemistry, biomedical sciences or other relevant subject to join the Affourtit lab (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/charles-affourtit) in the Biomedical Research Group (https://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/research/crtb) at PUPSMD. International students must also have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 or hold an equivalent qualification.

We and others have recently discovered that dietary nitrate lowers the oxygen cost of human exercise as it decreases the respiratory activity that is necessary for a set rate of skeletal muscle work. This striking discovery predicts that nitrate improves efficiency of muscle energy metabolism, but the molecular mechanisms underlying such benefit are incompletely understood (see Affourtit et al. [2015] Frontiers in Physiology 6:211 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2015.00211 for information). Closely collaborating with the labs of Professors Andy Jones and Paul Winyard at the University of Exeter, the successful candidate will use cutting-edge biochemical tools to establish how nitrogen species influence the cellular bioenergetics of isolated myocytes.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Charles Affourtit by email ([Email Address Removed]). Formal applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.

General information about applying for a research degree at Plymouth University is available through https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/the-graduate-school/ applicants-and-enquirers
Click ‘Apply’ on the online form (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/postgraduate) to apply for this studentship.
Please mark your application FAO Rebecca Rose, quoting reference PUPSMD-0116/CA, and clearly state that you are applying for a PhD studentship within the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry.

For more information on the admissions process contact Rebecca Rose by email ([Email Address Removed]).
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Thursday the 31st March, 2016. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in the week starting on Monday the 11th of April. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applicants and those not contacted by the 5th of May should consider their application unsuccessful on this occasion.