PhD Studentship - Defining the Molecular and Mechanical Drivers of Aortic Extracellular Matrix Ageing

[4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. Includes payment of tuition fees, £20,780 annual stipend, and £5,000 per annum Research Training Support Grant.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia investigates the molecular and mechanical drivers of aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) ageing, a process central to cardiovascular health and age-related disease risk. The project aims to pinpoint the earliest physical and biomechanical changes in the aortic ECM that precede clinical decline, focusing on how elastic ECM components fragment and compliance decreases with age. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the student will work across hydrogel mechanics, ECM biology, and advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to map compositional and architectural shifts in the ECM and link molecular signatures to tissue performance. The research will potentially reveal new biomarkers of aortic ageing. Training will include biomedical methods such as hydrogel-based cell culture, qPCR, Western blotting, imaging techniques like immunofluorescence, materials science approaches including gel mechanics and viscoelastic measurements, and cutting-edge solid- and solution-state NMR for complex biomaterials. The student will be jointly supervised in the Khimyak, Robinson, Wallace, and Warren labs, benefiting from a collaborative and cross-disciplinary environment. Applicants with backgrounds in structural biology, pharmacology, biophysics, materials science, or related fields are encouraged to apply, especially those with experience in NMR or advanced structural tools. The position is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), offering a vibrant research community, outstanding facilities, and comprehensive professional development. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study, gaining valuable work experience. The studentship includes full payment of tuition fees, a £20,780 annual stipend, and a £5,000 per annum Research Training Support Grant. Entry requirements include at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 and an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (6 in each category). The start date is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 2 December 2026. For further information and to apply, visit the UEA postgraduate research application portal or the NRPDTP website. Informal enquiries are welcomed by Prof Yaroslav Khimyak or any member of the supervisory team.