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PhD Studentship: From X to Y: Decoding Sex Chromosome Effects in the Human Brain

University of Exeter · United Kingdom

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About this position

The GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme is offering up to 18 MRC funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2027.

These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UKRI, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.

This project is in competition for place with the projects across the MRC GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Award studentships. There are a total of 18 studentships available across the partnership.

Why do males and females show different risks for brain disorders like schizophrenia, depression, autism and Alzheimer’s disease? This project explores how sex chromosomes shape gene expression and epigenetic regulation in the human brain across development and aging. Using cutting-edge multi-omic and single-cell datasets generated by our team and international collaborators, this bioinformatics project will investigate how the X and Y chromosomes drive molecular differences at the cellular level.

You'll also examine sex-specific differences in brains affected by neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease. Join our dynamic research team to uncover the biological foundations of sex differences in brain health and disease.

These studentships are funded through GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme and consist of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21, 805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year).

Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.

Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 per annum updated each year) plus UK/Home tuition fees

How to apply

  1. Read the full advert on the source site — it carries the authoritative terms.
  2. Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
  3. Apply through the university's own portal. Never pay a fee to a third party.

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PhD Studentship: From X to Y: Decoding Sex Chromosome Effects in the Human Brain — University of Exeter