PhD Studentship: Developing Our Understanding of Active and Healthy Ageing Using Biological Assessments

Project advert

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a background in human physiology or biomedical engineering/computer science to develop new ways to measure healthy ageing from genetic and health datasets. Ageing is usually quantified as a measurement of the time elapsed since birth. This cannot explain the large variations in ageing trajectories between older people of similar age. Researchers have tried to identify alternative descriptions of ageing based on assessments that reflect the "biological age" of an individual. This involves complex changes occurring in body systems, affected by thousands of genes and their interactions with environments and lifestyles. The research will take a new approach using data science and medical imaging to understand how biological age can be measured and describe the ageing process. We will develop metrics to accurately predict biological age with the longer-term goal of making the validated assessments available across very large populations of people for promoting healthy ageing.

Project aims and objectives

• Comprehensive biomarker identification: conducting a review of existing literature, examining various biomarkers that have been used to assess biological age, and interrogate large existing databases (such as UK Biobank) to investigate potential biomarkers in this context.
• Physiological and functional assessments of human adults: establish a unique dataset by recruiting human volunteers to complete assessments using advanced 3T magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the ageing brain and other body systems, as well as assessments of epigenetic changes to the DNA as biomarkers of biological age.
• Validation of Biological Age Biomarkers: validate a short-form of the assessments from Phase 2 and develop an AI model and algorithm-driven approach that can be implemented for future, large scale studies.

Funding

The student will be in receipt of a stipend payment; the Research Council minimum rate (set by UKRI) £20,780 for 2025/26

Specific requirements of the candidate

This opportunity is only available to Home students. 

Applicants should hold a minimum of an honour’s degree at first or upper- second class level in biomedical science, biomedical engineering or computer science, or related fields.

The research will involve testing physical performance of volunteers, processing blood samples and genetic assessments, collecting and analysing magnetic resonance imaging datasets and eventually algorithm development. Knowledge of the general principles of these areas is essential, and experience with practical implementations and research projects will be highly regarded.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Fabio Zambolin (f.zambolin@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD based in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete both the PGR thesis proposal and Narrative CV). The PGR proposal should briefly explain how you see the project developing to address the specific aims and objectives. It is also an opportunity for you to demonstrate how the skills you have map to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Closing date: 20 June 2025

Expected start date: October 2025

Please quote the reference: SciEng-FZ-2025-AGEX

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