PhD Studentship - Vascular and Hemodynamic Health following Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy

This 3-year full-time funded PhD opportunity in partnership between Department of Life Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. 

This project provides applicants with the opportunity to undertake an original multi-disciplinary impactful programme of applied research by working with heart failure patients, their clinical carers, and academic researchers. Core to the project is a multidisciplinary investigation into the impact of cardiac resynchronisation therapy on vascular function. Respect and empathy towards patients and effective working with the clinical and academic teams is essential. Student must be passionate, organised and willing to work at Manchester (University) and Liverpool (Hospital) sites. They will be required to screen and recruit patients, schedule experiments, collect and analyse data, present findings and oversee day-to-day running to project. Adherence to Good clinical and research practice guidelines will be required. The successful candidate will have experience of conducting cardiovascular research preferably in a hospital setting. Prior knowledge and/or experience of clinical research frameworks will be advantageous.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed prior to appointment.

Project aims and objectives

This project aims to assess the functional health of various blood vessels in heart failure patients before and following cardiac resynchronisation therapy. To achieve this overarching aim, project will use in-vivo, ex-vivo and in-vitro methodologies. Close working with patients, and their care providers will be essential. 

Funding

Home students can apply. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three years award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. 

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential

• Demonstrate professionalism and adherence to ethical standards. Respectful and empathetic towards vulnerable individuals.
• The ability to work independently, effectively and in an organised manner, to undertake, manage, and deliver research projects on time. Highly motivated, resilient and with the determination to succeed.
• Work in Manchester and Liverpool as required by the project and manage travel accordingly.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience of working on cardiovascular research studies ideally in a hospital and/or with patients.
• Experience of conducting vascular ultrasonographic imaging, laser-Doppler imaging, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, collecting/handling blood samples, and ex-vivo/in-vitro analysis of serum, plasma and monocytes.
• Good Clinical Practice certificate and experience of NHS research ethics and Human Research Authority protocols/guidelines. Experience of working on and/or managing clinical research studies.

How to apply

Dr Rehan Junejo will lead the project as Principal Supervisor. Please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor if you have any queries regarding the project.  

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Biological Science

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 06/04/2026 

Expected start date: October 2026

Please quote the reference: SciEng-RJ-2026-27-Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy

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