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Grant Wheeler

11 months ago

PhD Studentship: Brain Waves – Modelling Human Neural Induction with Pluripotent Stem Cells University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Neuroscience

Funding

Available

Deadline

Expired

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of East Anglia

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Keywords

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Biology
Microscopy
Health Science
Developmental Biology
Embryology
Time-lapse Imaging
Disease Modeling
Cell Differentiation
Stem Cell Research
Human Development
Congenital Anomalies
Bioscience
Computational Modelling
Pluripotency
Bioinformatic

About this position

[Fully funded 4-year PhD CASE studentship with Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership and Inspiralis Limited. Includes full tuition fees, annual stipend (£20,780 for 2025/6), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of human neural induction using pluripotent stem cells. The project, supervised by Professor Grant Wheeler and Dr Tim Grocott, aims to model how a healthy nervous system forms in the embryo—a fundamental question for understanding human development, evolution, and the origins of congenital defects and miscarriage. Due to the inaccessibility of human embryos at the implantation stage, the project leverages in vitro models where pluripotent stem cells self-organise into neural tissues.

The research will explore how waves of coordinated cell differentiation drive neural induction, using a combination of live time-lapse imaging, molecular analyses, and, optionally, computational modelling. The project is highly interdisciplinary, providing training in molecular, stem cell, and developmental biology, advanced microscopy, and bioinformatics, with the possibility to develop skills in computer modelling. The successful candidate will join a vibrant developmental biology laboratory and become part of the Norwich Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Network, collaborating with other research groups.

The studentship is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), which offers a comprehensive four-year PhD experience, including a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) to enhance professional development. The funding package covers full tuition fees, an annual stipend of £20,780 (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. The project is a CASE studentship in partnership with Inspiralis Limited.

Applicants must hold at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum 2:1 classification and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each category). The start date is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 2 December 2025. For more information or informal enquiries, candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Grant Wheeler or Dr Tim Grocott.

Application details and eligibility criteria are available on the NRPDTP website. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in early February 2026.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Applicants must have at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum of 2:1 classification. English language proficiency is required, with an IELTS score of 6.5 overall and at least 6.0 in each category. Candidates should have a background in a relevant scientific discipline. Full-time study is required. No specific mention of required skills or prior research experience, but interest in developmental biology, molecular biology, or related fields is advantageous.

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Professors

Professor at University of East Anglia

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Cell Biology

Developmental Neuroscience

Epigenetic

Mirna

Rna Biology

Dr at University of East Anglia

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Molecular Biology

Embryology

Human Development

Biology

Bioinformatic