PhD Study : Epigenomic Profiling of Young Adults with Mental Health Disorders in Northern Ireland

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Summary

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder characterised by a range of debilitating symptoms and affecting over 300million people worldwide(1). Mental health problems often develop before 18 years of age, with emergence between ages 18 and 25 years. Northern Ireland has one of the highest incidences of mental illness in Western Europe and the highest rate of suicide in the UK, a rate which continues to climb(2). Ulster University recently reported on prevalence rates of mental health disorders, self-harm and suicidality in a large cohort of first year NI university students(3) and found that more than 50% of new undergraduate students reported any lifetime mental disorder, concurrent with recent press releases(4).

Rates of depression and suicidal ideation were particularly high. Almost 80% of those who reported self harm also reported suicidal ideation in this cohort, highlighting the high incidence of comorbid depression, self-harm and suicide amongst young people entering university. The aetiology of depression is complex, but recent studies indicate genetic and environmental interactions are both implicated in disease pathology. There is a genetic component to the aetiology of psychiatric disorders, which has been demonstrated in twin and family studies, indicating up to 40% heritability(5).

In terms of environmental causes, childhood adversity and trauma including verbal and physical abuse, neglect and parental mental disorders are also major contributing factors to the development of mood disorders and suicidal behaviours. Other childhood adversity such as parental loss, bullying and socioeconomic status are all associated with increased incidence of depression in later life. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, in contrast to DNA polymorphisms, can be influenced by environmental factors and provide a potential mechanism through which life events can lead to the biological, and ultimately behavioural, changes associated with depression. Epigenetics could therefore be a key mediator of the interplay between biological vulnerability and life events leading to the behavioural changes seen in depression.

Our current research seeks to investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the aetiology of mental health disorders and depression using wet-lab and bioinformatic approaches. Using genome-wide and epigenome-wide sequencing, we wish to computationally profile a genetic signature of depression, depression comorbid with self-harm and/or suicide in the search for novel biomarkers using bespoke in-house algorithms. Currently, we are interested in the HPA axis and immune function in depression, and this project will also focus on driving forward these novel avenues of enquiry using a range of model systems including our genetically-altered cell lines and CRISPR models.

The PhD Researcher will use PCR-based methods to profile DNA methylation and gene expression in these models to determine functionality of target genes. We wish to recruit a motivated, hard-working PhD Researcher with a background in molecular biology to join an innovative multidisciplinary team from the Institute of Mental Health Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute and the Psychology Research Institute. We will provide training in a range of cutting-edge approaches, including bioinformatics, pyrosequencing and gene-editing technologies, which previous graduates have found very marketable in their research and other scientific careers.

1.WHO, 2017. Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva.
2.O'Neill, S…Murray, E. 2018. Journal of Affective Disorders, 239, 58-65.
3.McLafferty, M…Murray, E.K & O'Neill, S. M., 2017. PLOS ONE, 12, e0188785.
4.Robson & Preston. 2018. Belfast Telegraph. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/almost-half-of-northern-ireland-young-people-have-mental-health-problems-study-reveals-36776120.html
5.Howard, 2019. Nature Neuroscience, 22, 343-352.

Essential criteria

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.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications - peer-reviewed
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.
  • Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

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.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • 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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
9 to 20 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Rachelle Irwin

Other supervisors