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Website Cardiff University
Closing date: 21st October
GW4 BioMed3 offers a funded PhD at Cardiff studying astrocyte genes, signalling pathways and neurodegeneration using Drosophila models.
Astrocytes are central regulators of brain function, controlling neuronal activity, metabolism, extracellular matrix organisation and resilience to disease. However, many astrocyte-enriched genes remain poorly understood. This PhD project will investigate novel astrocyte genes and signalling pathways identified through transcriptomic analyses. Using Drosophila genetics, advanced imaging and molecular neuroscience, the student will determine how these genes regulate astrocyte function and influence neuronal physiology and neurodegeneration. Based at Cardiff University, the student will join the highly collaborative Cardiff University, GW4 and UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) research communities, receiving outstanding multidisciplinary training.
A full description of the project can be found on the GW4 BioMed website.
Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK.
English requirements: IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or acceptable alternative. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details.
How to Apply
A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the GW4 BioMed website. You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.
Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed3 for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an ‘offer to study’ to your chosen institution later.
Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check the GW4 BioMed website for details and updates.
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 22nd December 2026. Interviews will be held virtually on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentships will start on 1st October 2027.
Funding Notes
These studentships are funded through GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme and consist of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21, 805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year).
Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.
GW4 BioMed3 studentships are available to UK and International applicants
To apply for this job please visit www.findaphd.com.
