PhD Studentship: How Neurons Shape Astrocytes: Decoding Cell-to-Cell Communication in Brain Development

Overview

This PhD project at the University of Exeter, based in Clinical and Biomedical Science, explores how neurons instruct astrocytes during the development of the brain and how this communication is disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using mouse models, primary astrocyte culture, transcriptomics and advanced imaging, the student will identify the molecular signals that connect dysfunction of the neuronal protein JAKMIP1 to altered astrocyte behaviour.

Training across the Universities of Exeter, Bristol and Cardiff provides expertise in molecular neuroscience, glial biology, bioinformatics and disease modelling. The project aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms of brain development while building highly transferable research skills.

What you get

The project is one of up to 18 MRC-funded studentships offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, with a start date of October 2027. The studentships last four years. Funding covers UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council national minimum, which is 21,805 pounds per year for 2026/27 and is updated annually. Up to 5,000 pounds per year is also available for research training and support costs.

Who can apply

The studentships are open to UK and international students. This project competes for a place with projects across the whole MRC GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Award, in which 18 studentships are available across the partnership.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026, and the studentship begins in October 2027.