PhD Studentship: Of mice and women: Defining the role of oestrogen in regulating sex specific bone matrix composition, bone strength and mechanisms of skeletal repair

Supervisory Team: Claire Clarkin, Franklin Nobrega, Bram Sengers, Jemma Kerns (University of Lancaster)

PhD Supervisor: Claire Clarkin

Project description:

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems to provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment. As well as carrying out research training in a world-leading research group, membership of CISDnS will provide the opportunity for you to be exposed and trained to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach. You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector from both your peers and the numerous industry partners supporting the Centre.

Research project: Bone adapts to mechanical loads by changing its overall geometry, microstructure and tissue properties such as degree of mineralisation. These functional bone adaptations are closely coupled to the bones’ vascular health, maintaining overall bone strength and fracture resistance. There is an acknowledged divergence in age-related bone fracture risk between men and women. Further, sexual dimorphism in fracture risk has been reported in young active individuals, with lower limb fracture occurrence reported to be 3-fold higher in women than men during military training.

This PhD studentship will combine state-of-the-art imaging techniques, mechanical testing and finite element modelling to assess bone microstructure and function following extreme exercise regimes used within the military to better understand and predict fracture risk in men and women. It will also explore new technologies (phage-display) for stratification of  fracture repair and bone regenerative treatments by gender.

This project offers a unique interdisciplinary programme at the engineering, life science, and Biomedical science interface. The ideal candidate will have biomedical (imaging) experience and a good knowledge of computational engineering approaches with an interest in exercise physiology.

PhD studentship is open only to UK applicants.

To discuss aspect related to the CISDnS CDT please contact the directorate, cisdns@soton.ac.uk

For informal inquiries please contact Dr Claire Clarkin C.E.Clarkin@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 31^st July 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding:

Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. A number of studentships are available and will be awarded on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “Integrated PhD in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security (2024-25)”

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor, Claire Clarkin

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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