"Crohn's & Colitis UK Funded Non-clinical PhD Studentship: Can We Inhibit Rectal Sensation to Treat Bowel Urgency?"

Placed On: 25th March 2026

Closes: 16th April 2026

Reference: PL49194

Location: Central Cambridge

Title: Can we inhibit rectal sensation to treat bowel urgency?

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship based at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge and funded by Crohn's and Colitis UK (CCUK) supervised by Dr David Bulmer to investigate the mechanistic basis of drug treatments for bowel urgency, a leading cause of morbidity for people with colitis.

We have recently identified the expression of 5-HT1D and GPR35 receptors on the rectal nerves mediating urgency (Hockley et al 2019, Gut 68(4):633-644). These receptors are targets for sumatriptan and cromolyn, two drugs currently used for the treatment of migraine and asthma due to their ability to reduce the sensitisation of nerves in the head and lungs. Consequently, we predict sumatriptan and cromolyn should also be able to inhibit rectal sensitiation and treat bowel urgency.

This studentship will investigate this further using a combination of electrophysiological, imaging and immunosorbent approaches alongside functional assays of gut secretomotor function in both animal and human tissue to confirm the mechanistic utility of this drug repuposing opportunity.

Candidate - Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as neuroscience or pharmacology.

These positions are open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees). Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/

Funding- Full 3-year funding covering maintenance fees at £21,805 per annum and the University Composition Fee as well as Research Training Support/Travel is provided for the studentship with effect from 1 October 2026.

Application Process - All applications will need to be made through the University Application Portal (via the above 'Apply' button): www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blphpdphc/apply

Quote the project title and supervisor (Can we inhibit rectal sensation to treat bowel urgency? Supervisor Dr David Bulmer) and select Michaelmas Term 2026 (October 2026). The course code for PhD applications to Pharmacology is BLPH22.

Your online application will need to include: 1) Two academic references, to be submitted by the application deadline 5.00pm Thursday April 16th. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the references are in place by the application deadline, otherwise the application may not be processed. 2) Academic transcripts. 3) CV. 4) Statement of interest (max 500 words). Please ensure you explain why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the skills and research experiences you will bring to the role within your statement of interest.

The application portal will also ask for a research proposal, however, since the project is already defined, you may copy the project details from this advert.

Interviews will be from the 23rd April and outcomes announced shortly after.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr David Bulmer (dcb53@cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference PL49194 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.