PhD in Cross-Species Stress Susceptibility in PSC-Derived Neural Progenitors and Spinal Motor Neurons Babraham Institute in United Kingdom

PhD opportunity: Cross-Species determinants of stress susceptibility in PSC-derived Neural Progenitors and Spinal Motor Neurons.

This funded PhD project is based at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and is part of the Babraham Institute Graduate Programme / BioSCaPe iDLA Studentship. The project is supervised by Dr Teresa Rayon and is conducted in collaboration with Axol, offering both academic and industrial research exposure.

Research focus: developmental biology, stem cells, neuroscience, evolution, genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and ALS-relevant disease modelling. The project investigates how stress-response pathways shape developmental timing, maturation, and vulnerability in pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and spinal motor neurons (MNs) across multiple mammalian species, including human and non-human primates.

Project aims include: generating a harmonised cross-species stem cell platform; comparing stress susceptibility in neural progenitors and motor neurons; identifying molecular signatures of stress resilience and vulnerability through comparative proteomic profiling; and testing how stress-response pathways influence developmental tempo and neuronal maturation using targeted functional perturbations.

Training and environment: the Rayon Lab studies biological timing, developmental tempo, and lifespan across species using stem cell and embryo models with quantitative experimental and computational approaches. The student will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in stem cell biology, developmental biology, imaging, genomics, proteomics, and computational analysis.

Eligibility highlights: motivated applicants with interests in developmental biology, stem cells, neuroscience, evolution, or quantitative biology are encouraged to apply. Experience in cell culture, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or programming would be advantageous but is not essential, as full training will be provided.

Funding: fully funded studentship. The post notes a four-year industrial PhD starting in October 2027, leading to a University of Cambridge PhD degree.

Deadline: applications deadline for all PhD studentships is 8 December 2027. Interviews are expected the week commencing 18 January 2027.

How to apply: register your interest via the project page and follow the BioSCaPe iDLA application instructions. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and applicants must meet University eligibility criteria and secure admission to the University.