Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle - Targeting the skeletal muscle epigenome in metabolic disease

This is a doctoral Cotutelle project between Coventry University (United Kingdom) and Deakin University (Australia). The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Coventry University with the supervision team being drawn from Coventry University and Deakin University. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Coventry University and one from Deakin University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The program is for a duration of 3-3.5 years with the enrolment commencing in January 2023.

The project will examine the skeletal muscle epigenome in metabolic diseases. Alterations in the skeletal muscle epigenome contribute to impairments in muscle metabolism in metabolic diseases (Barres & Zierath, 2011; James et al., 2021). Under the supervision of Dr Mark Turner (Coventry University) and Professor Sean McGee (Deakin University), this project will investigate how epigenetic modifications, particularly histone acetylation, are implicated in the aetiology of metabolic disease, and how lifestyle factors can modulate these changes.

Applications close 5pm, Sunday  15 January 2023

This scholarship is supported by Coventry University and is available over 3.5 years and includes:

• Stipend of £15,000 per annum
• Tuition Fee Waiver
• Travel Support Package to support residency period in Australia
• Student visa and health insurance costs for period of residency at Deakin University in Australia

Deakin University will also provide a full tuition fee waiver for a duration of up to 4 years.

To be eligible you must:

• be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Coventry university, including English language proficiency requirements (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
• enrolling full-time
• a masters degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum 80%
• be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (United Kingdom) and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and Coventry’s research entry criteria page for further information.