Job Category
Teaching, Research & Scholarship
Employment Type
Full time
Location
Chelmsford
Faculty/Prof Service
Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care
Ref No
2151
Closing Date
19/03/2023
About ARU:
We are ranked in the world's top 350 institutions in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and we are a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. Our research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK's Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world-leading. In 2021, we were awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for our world-leading music therapy work.
About the Role:
Development of Novel Nano-Encapsulated Drug to Overcome Cancer Stem Cells and Target Glioblastoma
Background
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal and aggressive forms of malignant brain tumours in adults. Glioblastoma-resistant stem cells (GSC) are the major cause of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) chemotherapy failure. Conventional chemotherapy including intracerebral chemotherapy of glioblastoma has limited success due to poor brain penetration of drugs. The impermeable nature of the blood−brain barrier (BBB) and/or low targeting efficacy of systemically-administered drugs limit their therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma. Additionally, issues associated with chemotherapy such as poor bioavailability, rapid degradation, and toxic side effects mean alternate approaches are needed to address this therapeutic issue for patients with GBM.
Intranasal (IN) nose-to-brain delivery of anticancer drugs has gained significant interest recently with its potential to resolve issues with drug administration such as BBB permeability, low stability or/and intense first- pass metabolism.
This project will use these findings to further the development of a novel anticancer compound, ACA0522, as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic. Encapsulating ACA0522 within a lipid nanocarrier suitable for nose-to-brain direct inhalation may allow localised and targeted treatment of glioblastoma. The “short-cut” between the nasal cavity and the brain makes the nose-to-brain venue a promising non-invasive route which bypasses the blood brain barrier (BBB) to improve bioavailability of the drug in the brain.
Funding Notes and Eligibility:
Applications are open to Home fee status students only. This successful applicant will receive a Vice Chancellor's Scholarship award which covers Home tuition fees and a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for three years. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the studentship Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website alongside further information on the project: https: // aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/vc-phd- scholarships
Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline. A Master's degree in a relevant subject is desirable. Applicants must be prepared to study on a full-time basis, attending at our Chelmsford campus.
Application Deadline: 19th March 2023
How to apply:
Applications for a Vice Chancellor's PhD Scholarship are made through the application portal on our website: https: // aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate- research/vc-phd-scholarships
We will review all applications after the submission deadline of 19th March. We will contact shortlisted applicants in the week commencing 3rd April. Interviews will be held between 17th April to 2nd May.
If you have any queries relating to the application process or the terms and conditions of the Scholarships, please email [email protected]
Documentation required
You will need the following documents available electronically to upload them to the application portal (we can accept files in pdf, jpeg or Word format):
1) Certificates and transcripts from your Bachelor and Master's degrees, (if applicable)
2) Your personal statement explaining your suitability for the project
3) Passport and visa, or evidence of EU Settlement Scheme (if applicable)
4) Curriculum Vitae
Please note the application form will ask you to upload a research proposal. You should upload your personal statement in this section, as proposals are not required for this scholarship.
Contact us:
General enquiries: [email protected] If you would like to discuss this research project, please contact [email protected]
We are committed to safegua rding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff to share this commitment.
We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.