Cell Biology of Ageing in AMD

Institute of Ophthalmology 3-Year PhD Studentship

UCL Department / Division: UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences

Duration of Studentship: Full-time over 3 years, available to start from 1 October 2025

PhD Title: Cell Biology of Ageing in AMD

Supervisor(s): Professors Maria Balda and Karl Matter

We are offering a full–time, 3-year PhD studentship to research molecular mechanisms contributing to retinal degeneration and to test for novel therapies.

The goal of the project is to test a novel therapy in a new mouse model of retinal degeneration. This research will analyse a new pathway in a retinal degeneration mouse model induced by knockout p114RhoGEF in specific retinal cells to understand the disease of patients with biallelic mutations in this gene. In this context, we will also test a potential novel therapeutic tool that could be further developed for treatments to restore vision in patients. The outcomes will increase the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal degeneration and test a new treatment for retinal diseases.

Applicants should hold or expect to receive a minimum upper–second degree or equivalent in a life science discipline. A Master’s degree or previous lab–based research experience is desirable.

Part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is ranked the best place in the world to study ophthalmology (CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017). Our partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital represents the largest co–located site for eye research, education and care in the world.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Characterise the mouse model of retinal degeneration with in vivo and in tissue assessments as well as cell in culture models
• Analyse the effect of a novel treatment on the base of the above assessments
• Work with academic and clinical scientists, who work on different retinal diseases
• Prepare regular progress reports
• Give regular presentations of results achieved
• Prepare manuscripts for submission to international peer-reviewed journals
• Travel to national and/or international meetings or conferences to present the data of summited manuscript
• Contribute to the overall activities of the research team, department and be aware of UCL policies

Person Specification

• A good undergraduate degree (2.1 or above or the equivalent EU/overseas degree) and/or an MSc in a developmental or physiological biology discipline (Cell/Molecular/ Developmental Biology, Biochemistry) or another related discipline
• Have a UK personal animal licence
• Good knowledge and competence in the mouse as a model of disease, molecular and cell biological techniques including mouse handling, immunocytochemistry and fluorescent microscopy
• Ability and self-awareness to perform quantitative and qualitative assays and to analyse experimental data and write routines to control experimental setups
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines, to manage own variable workload
• Evidence of productivity proportionate to previous research experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
• Very strong work ethic, with the ability to think creatively and work both individually and within a team
• Self-driven with a desire to develop a career in bioscience

Commencement

The successful candidate is expected to start on 1 October 2025.

Funding Notes

This full-time studentship is funded for three years by Moorfields Eye Charity and is inclusive of UK home rate tuition fees, laboratory costs and an annual salary stipend starting at £22,000. International students: please see the details in the ‘Eligibility’ item below.

Eligibility

The full studentship (tuition fees and salary stipend) is eligible for candidates classified as UK students (please see ‘Tuition fee classification’ on this page: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/tuition-fees). Applicants that incur overseas fees are welcome to apply and would be expected to cover the difference in UK home and overseas rates of tuition (see here for more details: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding/pay-your-fees/fee-schedules/2024-2025/postgraduate-research-fees-2024-2025).

Enquiries

Enquiries relating to the application process should be sent to the Research Degrees Manager at ioo.pgr@ucl.ac.uk.

How to apply

Please prepare a single PDF document in the following order:

• A covering letter outlining motivation, interest, and suitability for this project;
• CV / resume
• Contact details for two academic referees

Attach to an email with the reference MBMCH25 in the subject line and send to the Research Degrees Manager at ioo.pgr@ucl.ac.uk by the deadline stated below. We ask that applicants follow these instructions carefully since deviation from them may invalidate your application. Any details specified in the body of email messages will not form part of the application.

Application deadline: 23:59 British Summer Time (BST), Friday 30 May 2025.

Proposed interview date: Week beginning 16 June 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly with further details of interview times.