PhD Studentship: Exploring the Effects of Air Pollutants on Immune Mediated K+ Dynamics

PhD Studentship in Pharmacology

Project title: Exploring the effects of air pollutants on immune mediated K⁺ dynamics 

Supervisors: Dr Mark Dallas (UoR), Dr Maria Maiaru (UoR) and Dr Chang Guo (UKHSA) 

Project Overview: We are excited to announce a fully-funded MRC ITTP PhD studentship opportunity to investigate the impact of air pollutants on immune-mediated potassium (K⁺) dynamics. This interdisciplinary project, in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency, aims to advance our understanding of how airborne contaminants influence immune cell function and contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The PhD will use a range of cellular techniques to explore immune cell phenotypes, including RNA-seq, particle tracking, electrophysiology and ELISA. This unique opportunity will include time spent at the host institute (University of Reading) and our project collaborators (UKHSA) giving the successful candidate. In addition, the student will benefit from being part of the MRC Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership cohort with summer schools and networking opportunities throughout the PhD project.

Why Join This Project?

• Work at the forefront of neuroinflammatory research, contributing to a growing field with real-world applications.
• Gain hands-on experience with a range of in vitro cellular techniques to report cell specific phenotypic changes.
• Collaborate with world-class researchers and industry experts in a highly interdisciplinary environment at both the University of Reading and UK Health Security Agency (Harwell Campus).
• Benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities in both institutions.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor Degree or equivalent in neuroscience, pharmacology or biomedical sciences.
• An MSc (merit or distinction) in a relevant subject would also be advantageous.
• Due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is open to UK applicants.

Funding Details:   

• Starts 1^st October 2025
• 4 year award
• Funding covers full tuition fees plus UKRI stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26)
• Additional research support from Carbon Monoxide Research Trust (CORT)

How to apply:  

To apply click Apply for a Programme via the above ‘Apply’ button and create your account, and use the link sent by email to start the application process. During the application process please select the PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology.

*Important notes*

1. Please quote the reference ‘DRC25-038’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
2. If the application system prompts you to submit a research proposal, please paste in the project title and move on to the next step in the application.

Application Deadline:  6^th June 2025

Further Enquiries:  

Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria. 

For further details please contact Dr Mark Dallas m.dallas@reading.ac.uk

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