PhD Studentship in the Biosciences Institute: Deciphering the Role of Transcriptional Enhancers in Gene Regulation and Osteoarthritis

Award Summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £21,805 (2026-27 UKRI rate). Successful international candidates will be required to fund the difference between the home fees and international fees.

Overview

Interested in how regulatory DNA elements control gene expression in health and disease? This PhD project will explore how SOX9 transcriptional enhancers regulate cartilage differentiation, homeostasis and response to osteoarthritis disease stimuli.

Maintaining healthy cartilage is essential for staying active throughout life. When cartilage breaks down, it leads to osteoarthritis (OA), a painful, progressive musculoskeletal disease affecting over 600 million people worldwide. A key regulator of cartilage identity is SOX9, a transcription factor essential for cartilage development, skeletal growth, and adult joint maintenance. Enhancers—non coding DNA elements that fine tune gene expression—play a central role in controlling SOX9 expression. We have recently identified 16 previously unknown human SOX9 enhancers, several of which contain genetic variants that increase susceptibility to OA.

You will dissect the roles of these SOX9 enhancers in controlling cartilage gene expression using integrated bioinformatics, CRISPR/Cas9‑based genetic and epigenetic editing, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling, qRT‑PCR, western blotting, histology and functional assays in human monolayer and 3D cartilage cultures. Mechanical loading and biochemical stimulation will assess how enhancer activity responds to physiologically relevant cues, using cartilage cell lines, mesenchymal stem cells and patient‑derived chondrocytes.

You will join Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and specialist training in genomics, bioinformatics and regenerative medicine. Your findings will advance fundamental understanding of cartilage biology, identifying new targets for regenerative therapies and contributing to the development of tissue‑specific CRISPR strategies to correct age‑related dysregulation in cartilage.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

21st September 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

18th May 2026

Sponsor

Dr WE Harker Foundation
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Newcastle University

Supervisors

Dr Louise Reynard
Co-supervised by Prof David Young
Newcastle University Biosciences Institute

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to biomedical sciences. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.

• This award is available to home and international applicants. Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between home fees and international fees.
• English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Application Portal: https://applyto.newcastle.ac.uk/

In ‘Course choice’ tab:

Type of Study - ‘Postgraduate Research’

Mode of Study - ‘Full Time’

Year of Entry - ‘2026’

Course code ‘8420F’

Research Area – Leave Blank

Press ‘Search’

Select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)’ and save selection.

Upload:

A document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘BI101’ in ‘Studentship Reference’.

When prompted for a research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required.

A covering letter & CV, stating how your interests and experience relate to the project.

Degree transcripts/certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if completed must be uploaded.

Contact Details

For further, please contact:

Dr Louise Reynard

louise.reynard@newcastle.ac.uk