2015 PhD Studentship in Neurodegeneration at Cardiff University, UK

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the area of Neurodegeneration for a project on “Unravelling the mechanism by which mutations in transglutaminase 6 cause ataxia” starting from 1-October-15. Applicants for a studentship must have a BSc or Master’s in molecular biosciences or related physical sciences including physics and chemistry. This studentship consists of full UK/EU tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£14,057 p.a. for 2015/16, updated each year). The application deadline is 18 September 2015.

Study Subject(s): Studentship is awarded in the area of Neurodegeneration for a project on “Unravelling the mechanism by which mutations in transglutaminase 6 cause ataxia”.
Course Level: Studentship is available to pursue PhD research program.
Scholarship Provider: Cardiff University, UK
Scholarship can be taken at: UK

Eligibility:
-Residency: Full awards (fees plus maintenance stipend) are open to UK Nationals and EU students without further restrictions.
-Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have a BSc or Master’s in molecular biosciences or related physical sciences including physics and chemistry.

Scholarship Open for International Students: UK/EU applicants are eligible to apply for this PhD studentship.

Scholarship Description: Cerebellar ataxias are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive imbalance and limb movement deficits. A form of adult onset spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA35) has recently been linked to mutations in the transglutaminase 6 (TG6) gene in the Chinese population. Additional mutations have been identified by us in a UK ataxia cohort. Taken together with our demonstration of neuronal expression of TG6 and the presence of autoantibodies to TG6 in immune-mediated ataxia,1,2 this suggests that TG6 plays an important role in neurons involved in motor control and in particular, cerebellar functioning. However, the physiological function of this enzyme remains to be elucidated.

Number of award(s): One PhD studentship is available.

Duration of award(s): The duration of studentship is 4 years.

What does it cover? This studentship consists of full UK/EU tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£14,057 p.a. for 2015/16, updated each year).

Notification: Not Known

How to Apply: In the first instance, you should submit a CV & Covering Letter to AeschlimannDP-at-cardiff.ac.uk with a brief statement regarding the reasons for selecting this project. The successful candidate will then be invited to submit a standard application for Postgraduate Study via the Online Application Service.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 18 September 2015.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application