PhD Studentship - The influence of aerobic exercise training to attenuate chemotherapy induced cardiotoxicity

Full Title: PhD Studentship- ‘The influence of aerobic exercise training to attenuate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and vascular dysfunction in breast cancer and leukemia patients’

Employer: Napier University
Reference: SAS0026
Bursary:  Tuition fees for 3 academic years will be provided at Home/EU level, plus 36 monthly stipend payments at the prevailing rate set by the Research Councils 
Contract Type: Full Time

Start in September 2018 

This PhD project is based in the Sport, Exercise and Health Research themes within the School of Applied Sciences, and is led by Dr. Mark Ross (http://www.napier.ac.uk/people/mark-ross) and Professor Geraint Florida-James (https://www.napier.ac.uk/people/geraint-floridajames) and is investigating the effect of exercise on chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer and leukemia patients.

Chemotherapy treatments, whilst potent anti-tumour therapies, induce deleterious effect on cardiac and vascular tissue. Patients treated with cardiotoxic cancer therapies often develop hypertension, reduced cardiac function and potentially negative effects on vascular function- which elevates cardiovascular disease risk in this population. Due to the beneficial effects of exercise on blood pressure, cardiac function and its known ability to promote vascular function, means that exercise is a well-placed treatment to be used alongside chemotherapy to alleviate the side effects of such medical treatment.

The project aims to investigate the cardiac (cardiac toxicity, NT-proBNP, cardiac imaging via ultrasound, cardiac troponin), vascular (endothelial function, endothelial progenitor cell number and function), and immunological (T-cell number and function) side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer and leukemia patients, as well as the influence of exercise during treatment stages to combat side effects. You will be provided extensive training in imaging, biological sampling, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. You will be given the opportunity to engage with an active post-graduate research community (including the chance to present at national and international conferences) and take part in a full training programme aimed at supporting progression to a successful research career.

Academic qualifications:
An undergraduate honours degree (at least a 2:1) ideally in exercise science or a relevant discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of cardiovascular and immunological physiology and oncology. English language requirement IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the 4 components). 

Other equivalent qualifications will be accepted.

Essential attributes:
•Experience of fundamental biological laboratory skills
•Competent in exercise testing and prescription
•Knowledge of cardiovascular physiology and immunology
•Good written and oral communication skills
•Strong motivator, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
•Good time management 

Desirable attributes:
•Prior experience of flow cytometry and microscopy Edinburgh Napier University 

To apply:
https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-degrees/application-process) quoting project code: SAS0026 '

Contact - Dr. Mark Ross (M.Ross@napier.ac.uk) https://www.napier.ac.uk/people/mark-ross; @mross013 

Dr. Mark Ross M.Ross@napier.ac.uk 

Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill Campus Room 2.b.38 Edinburgh EH11 4BN