Investigating the effect of mechanical and environmental stressors on inflammasomes activation in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

One full/ partial scholarship is available in the School of Medicine in 2025/26. The School of Medicine invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26. The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Medicine. <br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research relating to regulation of the immune environment in chronic inflammatory disease and metabolic dysfunction.

<p>Inflammatory diseases such as VEXAS, SAID, and AOSD are characterised by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. The inflammatory microenvironment influences immune cell migration, infiltration, and activation which contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Recently, changes in mechanical and  environmental factors have been shown to affect cell physiology and morphology (Paszek et al. 2020; Jui et al. 2024). This PhD project aims to investigate how mechanical and environmental stress-inducing stimuli such as heat shock, shear stress, and ER stress affect the physiology and morphology of immune cells within the inflammatory microenvironment in health and in inflammatory diseases, with a focus on inflammasomes. Comprehensive characterisation of this dysregulation will be performed using a variety of techniques such as ELISAs, flow cytometry, microscopic visualisation of morphological changes in immune cell subpopulations using primary patient samples and cell culture modelling.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Information about the Award</strong><br /> o    We are offering 1 full-time/ part-time PHD scholarship in the School of Medicine for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant of matching UKRI maintenance stipend (currently £20,780 in 2025/26) and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. <br /> Duration of the Award<br /> o    Full-time (3 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.<br /> Other Conditions<br /> o    Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.<br /> o    Awards must be taken up by 1st September 2025.<br /> o    Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.<br />  </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for ‘’is Investigating the effect of mechanical and environmental stressors on inflammasomes activation in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis’’ as well as <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/staff/3046/professor-sinisa-savic">Professor Sinisa Savic</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers home fees plus maintenance.</p>

<p>For further information please contact the Graduate School Office</p> <p><a href="http://fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>