PhD in Mechanosensation and Membrane Tension in Red Blood Cell Development (Stem Cells, Mechanobiology) University of the West of England in United Kingdom

A fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship is available to investigate the mechanisms of mechanosensation and membrane tension modulation in red blood cell development. This project is jointly supervised by Tim Satchwell (University of the West of England) and Ash Toye (University of Bristol) as part of the BBSRC SWBio Doctoral Training Partnership. The research will focus on how mechanosensory proteins and their downstream signalling pathways influence the formation and function of red blood cells derived from stem cells.

The successful candidate will be registered at both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, receiving a joint degree upon completion. The project offers a collaborative environment, access to advanced cell and molecular biology techniques, and the opportunity to contribute to fundamental understanding in hematopoiesis and mechanobiology. Applicants should have a strong background in biological or biomedical sciences and an interest in cell biology, molecular biology, or biophysics.

The studentship covers tuition fees and provides a stipend for living expenses. The application deadline is 3 December 2025, and further details can be found on the SWBio DTP website.