Cancer And Genomics: Fully Funded Sures PhD Scholarship, Multi-Omics Approach to Characterise an in Vitro Lung Model as a Predictive Tool for Human Health

It is imperative to use well characterised, human-relevant in vitro models to assess air pollution exposure impact upon human health, and how it may develop disease. However, despite the known negative association of inhalation exposure to air pollution, the mechanisms of action to which air pollution impacts lung health are currently unclear. To elucidate this, using a physiologically relevant model of the lower airways, multi-omic analyses will provide a key tool to characterise mechanistic changes and assist in predicting the human health impact of the exposure to different air pollutants. 

Aim: To use multi-omic approaches to characterise the effects of air pollutants on an established in vitro model of the human lower lung, to reveal mechanistic insights associated with lung disease development. 

Objectives: 

1. Create realistic pollutant exposure samples representing indoor and outdoor pollutant (mixtures) using an established model of the human alveolar epithelial barrier. 
2. Apply multi-omic approaches to assess differential gene expression and altered pathways associated with pollutant exposures, integrating this data to identify mechanisms associated with lung disease development. 

This studentship will be hosted within the medical school at Swansea University in the labs of Dr Laura Thomas (https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/laura.e.thomas/) and Prof Martin Clift (https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/m.j.d.clift/). The two research groups are based on the 4th floor of the Institute of Life Science 1 at the Singleton Campus. The groups consist of a mix of interdisciplinary academic researchers, PhD students, clinicians and computer scientists who will all support the studentship. The successful student will be further supported by members of the wider 4th floor research groups and existing industrial and academic collaborations. 

This studentship will be multi-disciplinary, working across research strengths in genomics and in vitro approaches. It is a multidisciplinary project that will train the successful student in several highly desirable skills, both in the wet-lab and in genomics approaches. We are therefore seeking an enthusiastic graduate with an interest in advanced cell models and genomics. Whilst full training will be given, previous experience with tissue culture, analysis of genomics data, bioinformatics approaches or previous use of relevant platforms such as R, are desirable.  

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Laura Thomas (laura.e.thomas@swansea.ac.uk) 

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 9th June. 

Funding Comment

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

Advert information