FULLY FUNDED PhD - Bioengineered models to understand how ageing impacts lymph node function

About the Project

To apply, please click institution website.

Start date: 01 October 2026

We are seeking enthusiastic candidates to join three fully funded PhD studentships offered at the Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment (CeMi) at the University of Glasgow under the themes Stromal Cell Biology, Stemness, Senescence and Non-Animal Technologies.

The CeMi is a unique multidisciplinary research environment that brings together researchers from the School of Molecular Biosciences and the School of Engineering. Our research is focussed on understanding the interactions between materials, proteins and cells to engineer and control cell behaviour. More about our research can be found at: https://glasgow.thecemi.org/ and https://www.mainstream-hub.org.

This project will develop bioengineered models to investigate how ageing disrupts lymph node structure and immune function. Age-related processes such as immunosenescence and inflammaging weaken responses to infection and vaccination, yet current animal models often fail to accurately capture human immune ageing. By bioengineering hydrogel systems that mimic healthy and aged human immune microenvironments and combining them with primary cells from lymph nodes and tonsils, this project will generate immune organoid systems to study how stromal-cell ageing (senescence) impairs immunity and contributes to autoimmunity in older adults. Using interdisciplinary approaches across cell and molecular biology, bioengineering and immunology, involving techniques such as primary cell isolation, hydrogel synthesis and characterisation, fluorescent microscopy, qPCR and flow cytometry.

Eligibility requirements: The student will have obtained, or be expected to obtain, a minimum of an upper second class undergraduate degree in a biological sciences and biomedical engineering (or related) degree. A relevant Masters degree is desirable but not essential. Funding is available for UK/home students only.

To apply please provide a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability and motivation for pursuing this PhD, and the names and contact details of two people we can contact to provide references.

For more information about this project please contact: Hannah.Donnelly@glasgow.ac.uk

Funding Notes

UKRI rates, £21,805 currently. Bench fees are up to £5k per year, or up to £17.5k total.