26 Feb 25. PhD opportunity

Applications are now welcome for a funded PhD at the University of Edinburgh focussed on the development of a minimally-invasive ultrasound guided rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. This project is jointly funded for 3 years by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The ultimate aim of this project is to fundamentally shift the way in which preclinical myocardial infarction research is performed in rats, improving welfare outcomes and reducing the number of animals which are needed. This project will offer world class training in in vivo cardiovascular research and non-invasive imaging using ultrasound and positron emission tomography (PET), in addition to training developing the candidates scientific, personal and career development skills. This project will equip the candidate for a successful career in preclinical cardiovascular research with a strong grounding in the 3Rs principals.

The primary supervisor for this project is Dr Mark MacAskill, with secondary supervision provided by Prof Adriana Tavares. This project will be based in the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, which is part of the newly formed Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research (INCR), situated within the Edinburgh BioQuarter campus. In the latter stages of the project there will be scope for international collaboration in order to disseminate the newly developed model across collaborator sites.

Funding information and application procedures:

Full information:

Development of a minimally invasive, ultrasound guided, rat myocardial infarction model 

Enquiries:

Informal enquiries are welcome to Dr Mark MacAskill. Email: mark.macaskill@ed.ac.uk

Application:

Please include a one-page personal statement highlighting your motivation for applying for this project, and the skills and experience to date that make you well suited to it. Please also submit your CV and two academic references. All documents should be sent or emailed to:

Lynn Meikle

Centre for Cardiovascular Science 

The Queen’s Medical Research Institute

47 Little France Crescent

Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ. Tel: +44(0) 131 242 6724

Email: Lynn.Meikle@ed.ac.uk

The student will receive a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 pa in 2024/25), and student tuition fees will be supported in accordance with the T&Cs of the award. For further information on the provided studentship and award, please contact Dr Mark MacAskill (mark.macaskill@ed.ac.uk).

 Please note, International Students will need to apply for a visa within UK government guidelines and be able to cover National Health Service surcharges.

CLOSING: Sunday 16 March 2025