PhD Studentship - Targeting the Microbiome to Treat Chronic Pain

Location: Central Cambridge

Supervisors: Dr. David Bulmer (Pharmacology)

The University of Cambridge is pleased to receive applications for the Prof John Miles PhD studentship funded by the Pain Relief Foundation with support from Wolfson College, Cambridge. The studentship will be a 3-year doctoral programme supervised by Dr David Bulmer (Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge) conducting research into targeting the microbiome to treat chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a common cause of disability exacerbated by stress promoting a vicious cycle of pain, stress, and anxiety. Dysbiosis of the microbiome in response to negative early life experiences has been proposed to contribute to this through dysregulation of metabolite signalling within the gut-brain axis. Consequently, the goal of this studentship will be to understand the contribution of bacterial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to the sensitisation of pain sensing nerves (nociceptors) in response to negative early life stress. Findings will be translated to human using clinical samples from people with dysbiosis and abdominal pain, normalised by treatment on a low FODMAP diet.

This PhD builds on a body of translational work from the Bulmer lab (Bautzova et al (2018) Sci Signal. 11(561); Higham et al (2024) Pain 165 (7): 1592-1604) and will utilise ex-vivo electrophysiological recording and Ca2+ imaging from mouse and human nociceptors.

Applicants must have or expect to obtain at least an upper 2nd class honours science degree (or equivalent). The appointee will be motivated, capable of developing his or her own ideas, and keen to interact effectively with other lab members.

The studentship is for up to 3 years, with an expected start date at the beginning of Lent Term 2025 and will provide a stipend at the standard Research Council rate and tuition fees.

The successful applicant will become a member of Wolfson College, which offers a lively and welcoming home to a diverse and cosmopolitan community of postgraduate and older (21+) undergraduate students.

Funding is available only for UK or EAA students who meet the UK residency requirements. but please see information here regarding EU fee status for entry 2019 and onwards: www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees.

How to apply

All applications will need to be made through the University Application Portal: www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blphpdphc/apply

For further information about the programme and to access the Applicant Portal. Please note that the course code for PhD applications to Pharmacology is BLPH22. Whilst making your online application please make clear that you are applying for; proposed supervisor Dr. David Bulmer and title "Targeting the microbiome to treat chronic pain".

Your online application will need to include:

• Two academic references
• Transcript
• CV/resume
• Evidence of competence in English If required - you can check using our tool
• Statement of interest (no more than 300 words)

The deadline for submission is 14^th August 2024, with interviews likely to take place from the 21^st August.

Informal enquiries to Dr. Bulmer dcb53@cam.ac.uk

Informal enquires about the application process must be sent to postgrad@phar.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PL42502 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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