Stem Cell Biology (Basic Dental Sciences) PhD – (Ph.D.)

Stem cell research within the School of Dentistry focuses on several areas of this exciting, and sometimes controversial, subject. The overall aim of our research is to probe the fundamental areas of pluripotency, multipotency and differentiation to allow exploitation of stem cells in clinical applications and drug testing. We are also world leaders in the use of ES cells as a model system to study epithelial-mesenchymal transition events, a process associated with epithelial tumour cell metastasis.

PhD study within the School is a very challenging yet rewarding experience and it is important that you enjoy problem solving and are an innovative thinker. Flexibility is allowed within the parameters of the study to enable the research to evolve and instigate findings not envisaged at the outset of the work. This is complimented by a dedicated PhD training structure, which provides critical skills training, personal development and progression milestones. You will work in state-of-the-art laboratories under the supervision of experts within the field.

You will also experience an extensive landscape of related research at the University of Manchester, including the Northwest Embryonic Stem Cell Centre, the UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration, The Healing Foundation Centre, the Material Sciences Centre, the Manchester Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and the Manchester Centre of Excellence for Biopharmaceuticals. Techniques you can expect to use during your study include, but are not limited to, stem cell culture, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, fluorescent activated cell sorting, confocal microscopy and small molecule design and testing.

Your project will either be outlined by the academic supervisor offering the study or, alternatively, you may seek to work within a particular subject area with a focused plan of research in mind. We welcome initial project enquiries to help both you and us to determine the feasibility of the study area and to put you in contact with appropriate supervisors. We welcome applications for both basic and applied research projects and can provide specific experience in commercial enterprise, if required.

The supervisory team will assist you throughout your study ensuring academic objectives are met and suitable training is provided in core skills fundamental to the research. Transferable skills training is provided by a dedicated Graduate Training Programme offered by the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, which provides training in research methodology, critical writing skills, intellectual property and research ethics. In addition, you will attend journal clubs, research meetings and regular talks by invited external experts.