University of Exeter
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PhD Studentship: Editing the Alzheimer’s Epigenome: From Human Brain Variation to Functional Mechanisms University of Exeter in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Available
Deadline
Jan 5, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Exeter
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About this position
PhD Studentship at the University of Exeter in Editing the Alzheimer’s Epigenome: From Human Brain Variation to Functional Mechanisms.
This studentship addresses a major question in Alzheimer’s disease research: which epigenetic changes observed in human brain actually alter gene regulation and contribute to disease biology. The project builds on cell-type-specific epigenomic datasets generated from human post-mortem brain using fluorescence-activated nuclei sorting (FANS), including DNA methylation, ATAC-seq chromatin accessibility, and H3K27ac profiling. By integrating these datasets with gene expression, genetic association, and regulatory annotations, the student will prioritise Alzheimer’s-associated loci with strong evidence for functional regulatory activity in promoters and enhancers.
The project combines multi-omic computational analysis with experimental validation. Selected candidate loci will be investigated using targeted CRISPR epigenome editing, including dCas9-based methylation, demethylation, or chromatin remodelling approaches in relevant cell lines and hiPSC-derived neural models such as cortical neurons and microglia. The work will then assess how perturbing these loci affects gene expression, epigenetic state, and cellular phenotype, using assays such as bisulfite pyrosequencing and follow-on transcriptomic, methylomic, and chromatin-accessibility profiling for top candidates.
The studentship is highly interdisciplinary and is designed for a student interested in disease epigenomics, functional genomics, stem-cell models, and computational biology. Training will include multi-omic data integration, reproducible bioinformatics, experimental epigenomics, cell culture, epigenome editing, and functional assays. The project also benefits from established FANS and epigenomic pipelines and access to hiPSC-derived neurodegeneration models and targeted DNA methylation editing expertise across Exeter and collaborating teams.
Funding covers Home tuition fees and a Doctoral Stipend for up to 4 years. The deadline is 05 Jan. Applicants should review the University of Exeter funding page and follow the application instructions there.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants should be interested in interdisciplinary research spanning human disease epigenomics, computational biology, stem-cell models and CRISPR-based functional genomics. The project would suit candidates with strengths or interest in multi-omic data integration, reproducible bioinformatics, experimental epigenomics, cell culture, epigenome editing and functional assays. No specific degree classification, language test, or prior experience is explicitly stated in the posting.
How to apply
Apply via the University of Exeter funding/application link provided. Submit the application before the deadline. Check the advert and linked funding page for any additional documentation or eligibility details.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.