The Cayuso Lab at the University of Portsmouth is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position starting in October 2026 to investigate the mechanisms of CASK-related neurodevelopmental disorders using zebrafish models. The project will employ CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, fluorescence imaging, and molecular and cellular analyses to generate and characterize zebrafish models for CASK-associated disorders. The research aims to uncover how loss of CASK affects brain development, neuronal survival, and tissue organization, with a focus on understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying CASK-related disorders such as microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH). The student will receive comprehensive training in zebrafish genetics, neurodevelopmental biology, advanced imaging, and quantitative data analysis, and will work within the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare. The project is supervised by Dr Jordi Cayuso and Professor Matt Guille, and offers opportunities for collaboration with researchers specializing in neural repair, neuroinflammation, and disease modelling. The position is open to candidates with a strong background in biomedical science, neuroscience, developmental biology, genetics, or related fields, and who are motivated to work with zebrafish as a model organism. The funding covers tuition fees, a UKRI-aligned stipend, and project costs, but does not cover visa or immigration health surcharge fees. Applications close on 16 January 2026. Interested candidates should apply online, quoting the project code, and may contact Dr Jordi Cayuso for project-specific questions before applying.