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University of Bristol

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Funded PhD in Heatwaves, Cognition, Neuroanatomy, and Mitochondrial Function University of Bristol in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Environmental Science

Funding

Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually), plus additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum.

Deadline

Oct 21, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Bristol

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Keywords

Environmental Science
Psychology
Meta-analysis
Biology
Climate Science
Neuropsychology
Drosophila Research
Systematic Review
Learning And Memory
Neuroanatomy

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About this position

Funded PhD project at the University of Bristol on how extreme heatwaves affect cognition, neuroanatomy, and mitochondrial function.

This GW4 BioMed3 MRC DTP studentship sits at the intersection of climate science, biology, neuroscience, and psychology. The project investigates how heat stress influences learning and memory using two insect model systems: the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). Research themes include behavioural assays of cognition, mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress, ATP production, cellular damage, confocal microscopy of brain structure, and a systematic review/meta-analysis of heat exposure and cognition across animals and humans.

The project is designed to uncover the biological mechanisms linking thermal stress to cognitive decline and neurological health. It is especially relevant to students interested in environmental impacts on brain function, insect neuroscience, and mechanistic physiology. The candidate will help shape their own research programme while addressing questions about heat intensity, exposure duration, developmental timing, cumulative exposure, and structural changes in cognition-related brain regions such as the mushroom bodies.

Funding: UK tuition fees plus a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27), with additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per year.

Eligibility/requirements: The post does not list a specific degree class or test score, but it clearly suits applicants with interest in interdisciplinary experimental biology, climate change impacts, insect behaviour, neurobiology, and quantitative review methods.

Application window: Apply via the GW4 BioMed website by 5:00pm on 21 October 2026. You may select up to two projects and submit one application per candidate. Shortlisted candidates are notified from 22 December 2026, interviews are held virtually on 26–27 January 2027, and the studentship starts on 1 October 2027.

Funding details

Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually), plus additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum.

What's required

Applicants should be interested in interdisciplinary research on climate change, cognition, neuroanatomy, mitochondrial function, and insect model organisms. The project anticipates work with bumblebees and Drosophila, behavioural assays, physiological/molecular/biochemical methods, confocal microscopy, and systematic review/meta-analysis. No specific degree class, language test, or prior experience is explicitly stated in the post.

How to apply

Review the available projects and application instructions on the GW4 BioMed website. You may select up to two projects and submit one application per candidate. Complete the online application form linked from the GW4 BioMed website by 5:00pm on 21 October 2026.

More information can be found here

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