Description Position Details Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Fixed salary of £41,313.00 additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances Grade: 7 (Spot) Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 36 months Closing date: 23rd April 2025 Background We are seeking an applicant for a fully-funded HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN PhD studentship in the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, in the group of Prof Simon Jones l to support a translational research project aiming to elucidate the role of extracellular vesicles in obesity-related musculoskeletal decline and frailty. Using advanced nanoparticle tracking microscopy and in vitro human models of the joint and musculoskeletal systems (chondrocytes, osteoblasts, myoblasts), vesicles released from adipose tissue will be characterised, their biodistribution tracked and their functional roles determined. The project will advance understanding of how obesity drives frailty in older adults. As part of the UNION doctoral network, we are expecting the technician to register for a PhD position in the Jones lab at UoB starting in September 2025. As part of the UNION doctoral network, we are expecting the technician to register for a PhD position in the Jones lab at UoB starting in September 2025. You will be a member of the UNION Doctoral Network. The principal objective of network is to provide world-class doctoral training to a new generation of early-career researchers, and it is responsible for the training of 17 PhD students. As part of this network, you will have the opportunity to visit partner labs within the network for longer collaborative visits as well as substantial training opportunities within academia and industry. As such, international travel and networking will be integral parts of your training during your PhD. UNION aims to greatly improve the understanding of ageing and frailty, a huge burden on health and care costs worldwide, tackling a major health priority. We envision that the link between cutting-edge science and clinical practice will generate guidelines and policies, which in turn will benefit public health policy and will promote societal sustainability globally. UNION is built on the premise that ageing and age-related dysfunction are complex, dynamic and multifactorial in nature, yet can be tackled. The disentanglement and the modulation of the elements of this complexity are required to reduce frailty and thereby extend healthy life expectancy. This position is led by Prof Jones at the University of Birmingham (UK). Prof Jones research focusses on investigating the mechanisms of musculoskeletal ageing, including sarcopenia and osteoarthritis and the role of obesity in driving age related pathology in older adults. The Department of Inflammation and Ageing aims to understand how inflammatory processes drive biological ageing and translate this into interventions to prevent age-related disease and frailty by bringing together researchers specialising in immunesenescence, muscle and joint health, transcriptomics, epigenetics, microbiome and Computational Biology. The University of Birmingham is one of the leading research-based universities in the United Kingdom. Birmingham is 68th in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Life Sciences and Medicine, and joint 11th with a research power ranking of 6th in the recent University research ranking of the UK (Medicine, REF-2021). Role Summary Work within the UNION research grant and project. Operate within the research area of musculoskeletal ageing and obesity to evaluate the potential of extracellular vesicles in driving frailty in older adults. Analyse and interpret research findings and results from relevant experiments. Secondments at partner institutions. Contribute to the dissemination of the results. Main Duties The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below. Develop research objectives and experimental design with assistance of supervisory team and collect research data. Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods. Analyse and interpret data. Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc. Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline. Interact with other members of the UNION consortium and fulfil the responsibilities associated with the studentship, such as attending consortium meetings, training activities and international secondments to partner organisations. Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration. Contribute to public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, under supervision of the project leader. Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research. Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines. Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research. Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. Contribute towards achieving the sustainability goals of the research group. Person Specification First degree in a relevant field (biological, biomedical, biotechnology, molecular biology) and a MSc degree or equivalent experience in molecular or cellular biology or a relevant field. Experience performing molecular biology assays, including immunological, microbiological, and biochemical analyses and ability to contribute to developing new ones. Understanding of the Human Tissue Act and working to GCP standards. Ability to work independently as well as part of a research team. High level analytical capability and an inquisitive mind. Ability to communicate complex information clearly. A willingness to travel to other research organisations for the secondments is essential. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly. Further Particulars The post is funded by UKRI/ERC Horizon-MSCA-2023-DN. The eligibility criteria are: At the time of first recruitment by the host organisation, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the reference date. The candidate must not hold a PhD degree at the time of recruitment When applying, please supply a motivation letter, including a few sentences on a recent project you have worked on. When applying, please supply a: motivation letter, including a few sentences on a recent project you have worked on. CV. transcripts (including the list of courses you have taken). statement that you consent to the process and use of your data provided according to law 679/2016 of the Regulation of the European Parliament. Further particulars can be found here Informal enquiries to Prof Simon W Jones, email: s.w.jonesbham.ac.uk We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .