Background:
Surveillance of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been dominated by development of tests to detect antibody to key antigens expressed by the virus, especially spike glycoprotein. These tests invariably depend on research-lab based, high-tech methodologies such as ELISpot or flow cytometry. As a part of SOCA consortium [1] and COVRES-2 study, a NICSM based team has produced datasets to support: (a) analysis of the blood transcriptome and plasma proteome of mild and severe COVID-19 hospital cases (in order to develop diagnostic test for measuring protective immunity) and (b) decyphering the neutralising antibody profile of mild vs severe SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.
Datasets:
We [2] and others [3] have been actively working on Covid-19 research. We have established time series experiments on whole blood and PBMC samples (N=70) on N=10 hospitalised patients and have generated RNA-Seq data on them as a part of SOCA consortium study. We are also generating RNA-Seq data on mild (N=20) and severe (N=20) SARS-CoV-2 infected patients as a part of COVRES-2 study. We are also working towards generating Olink [4] proteomics data on N=120 individuals as a a part of COVRES-2 study.
Aim:
This PhD project will focus on:
Prospective candidate:
The project will be entirely computational. Thus, we are seeking a student having a strong interest in computational approaches evidenced by good programming skills (preferable in Linux/Shell, Python and R) and knowledge in biomedical sciences, computational biology and statistics. However, students from more biology oriented background but strong interest to learn bioinformatics and programming are also encouraged to apply. Appropriate training will be provided during the course of PhD study.
This PhD project will provide opportunity to a PhD researcher to develop computational skills in RNA-Seq and protiomics data analaysis and machine learning.
For any informal enquiry and/or to discuss more about the project, please contact the supervisors: Dr Priyank Shukla (p.shukla@ulster.ac.uk), Dr David Gibson (d.gibson@ulster.ac.uk)
Ethical approval: Full ethical approval is in place to support this project.
Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Submission deadline
Monday 28 February 2022
12:00AM
Interview Date
April 2022
Preferred student start date
mid September 2022
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Email
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