PhD Studentship: Human and Environmental Physiology: Harnessing Environmental Stress for the Benefit of Cerebrovascular Function

Fully funded 3-year PhD studentship (School funded)

Human and Environmental Physiology: Harnessing environmental stress for the benefit of cerebrovascular function

Applications are invited for a three-year, full time PhD studentship within the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences. The studentship covers the full cost of tuition fees for the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR); a maintenance stipend (approx. £16,062 per annum for 3 years) and a research allowance of up to £750. The studentship can commence any time between October 2022 and January 2023, but with a preferred start date of October 1st.

Project: A large proportion of the general population does not meet physical activity and exercise recommendations that help to maintain good health. Like exercise, exposure to environmental stressors, including cold, heat, hypoxia, and sunlight, causes a cascade of physiological responses e.g., increased nervous system activity, heart rate and respiratory work, and blood vessel changes. Regular passive exposure to environmental stress may therefore be an alternative strategy to maintain good health in people unable or less motivated to complete exercise. The effects of regular intermittent exposure to environmental stressors on cerebrovascular function has received limited investigation. Strategies that better maintain cerebrovascular function (i.e., cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular reactivity, cerebral autoregulation, neurovascular coupling, and cognitive function) throughout people’s lives are sorely needed and have the potential to greatly benefit individuals and society. The aim of this PhD is to examine how environmental stressors may be harnessed for the benefit of cerebrovascular function and health.  

As a PGR you will join the Institute for Applied Human Physiology (https://www.bangor.ac.uk/iahp), and you will receive training in research and laboratory skills that include advanced ultrasound imaging techniques, classical physiology and biochemical techniques to monitor cerebrovascular, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and thermoregulatory responses.

Supervision: Dr Sam Oliver and Dr Jonathan Moore. Please email informal enquiries to s.j.oliver@bangor.ac.uk

Requirements:

Essential:

• First or second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Experience of conducting relevant research projects.
• Excellent personal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with support from a supervisor.

Desirable:

• An M-level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Experience of performing thermoregulatory, ultrasound, non-invasive blood pressure measurements and/or technical computing e.g., LabChart.

Residency requirements: This studentship is primarily aimed at UK students. However, students from outside of the UK should contact Dr Sam Oliver to discuss the conditions for the funding of international students.

How to apply: All application must be received through our online application system: https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/applicant/

Applications must contain:

• A covering letter: Include your motivation for applying for this studentship, aspirations beyond conducting a PhD, and how your qualifications, experience and research interests make you a suitable candidate for this studentship. Where appropriate, this should also include proof of English Language Competency (7.0 IELTS minimum).
• References: All applications require two academic references to be submitted in support. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include the references with their application.
• A 500-word research proposal aligned to this advertised PhD studentship that includes a background, hypothesis, and the approach to collecting and analysing data.

The closing date for formal applications is 4^th July and short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview.

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