PhD Studentship: Characterising and testing an inducible model of schwannoma

DoS: Professor David Parkinson (david.parkinson@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: 01752 583203)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Liyam Laraba (liyam.laraba@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor: Dr Sylwia Ammoun (sylwia.ammoun@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1^st October 2025

Project Description

A PhD studentship is available in the laboratory of Prof. David Parkinson, based within the University of Plymouth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. The Centre has labs that work on a number of different types of brain tumours, with close collaborations between the groups. The Parkinson lab works on the biology of NF2-null tumours, principally schwannoma and meningioma that may occur sporadically or as part of NF2-related schwannomatosis.

This project is to characterise a novel and inducible mouse in vivo model of schwannoma to examine mechanisms of tumour growth, immune cell influx and angiogenesis. This will lead onto the validation of this model for its use in screening of new therapeutics for this tumour type. Work will involve a wide range of cell biology, imaging, and in vivo techniques. Details of some of our recent work can be seen in Laraba et al (2023) Brain 146(4):1697-1713. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac342.

Applicants should have a good understanding and experience of tumour biology and cell signalling; some experience with in vivo work would also be desirable, but not necessary. Full training in lab and in vivo techniques will be given to the successful applicant.

For an informal discussion on the project, please email david.parkinson@plymouth.ac.uk

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,655 per annum 2024/25 rate (2025/26 rates TBC).  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact:

Prof. David Parkinson, david.parkinson@plymouth.ac.uk

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College. 

The closing date for applications on 11 April 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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