PhD Studentship - Defining the Molecular and Mechanical Drivers of Aortic Extracellular Matrix Ageing

Primary supervisor - Prof Yaroslav Khimyak

Why this matters:

Aortic compliance, the ability of the aorta to change shape in response to changes in blood pressure, is essential for health. As we age, the aorta stiffens: elastic extracellular-matrix (ECM) components fragment and compliance decreases. These changes are major risk factors for multiple age-related diseases. We still do not fully know which biophysical changes in the ECM tip the system from healthy to dysfunctional.

The project:

You will pinpoint the earliest physical and biomechanical changes in the aortic ECM that precede clinical decline. Working across hydrogel mechanics, ECM biology and advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), you will map how composition and architecture shift with age and link molecular signatures to tissue performance—potentially revealing new biomarkers of aortic ageing.

What you will do/learn:

• Biomedical methods: hydrogel-based cell culture, qPCR, Western blotting;
• Imaging: immunofluorescence of ECM architecture;
• Materials science: gel mechanics, viscoelastic measurements;
• Spectroscopy: cutting-edge solid- and solution-state NMR for complex biomaterials;
• Translation: integrate physical readouts with functional biology.

You will be jointly supervised in the Khimyak/ Robinson / Wallace / Warren labs—collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and hands-on.

Who should apply:

We welcome applicants with backgrounds in structural biology, pharmacology, biophysics, materials science, or related fields. Some experience with NMR or other advanced structural tools is a plus, and you should enjoy working across disciplines and learning new techniques.

The environment:

You will join the Norwich Research Park—one of the UK’s largest concentrations of life scientists—with outstanding facilities and training. The skill set you will build spans cell and molecular biology, mechanobiology, biophysics, NMR and vascular biology—preparing you for careers in academia or industry.

Interested?

Informal enquiries are encouraged: Prof Yaroslav Khimyak (y.khimyak@uea.ac.uk) or any member of the supervisory team.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study

Full time

Start date

1 October 2026

Funding Information:

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

Closing Date: 02/12/2026

Please complete your application via the ‘Apply’ button above.

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