PhD StudentshipDept. of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine & Intensive Care

Stipend £12,500 per annum plus fees for UK or EU student

A three year full-time PhD studentship is available to work on a project on the molecular mechanisms of action of general anaesthetics.

The focus of the work is on the molecular mechanism of action of the anaesthetic gas xenon on the NMDA receptor. The project will involve patch-clamp electrophysiology using HEK293 cells expressing defined NMDA receptor subunits. The effects of xenon and gaseous anaesthetics such as nitrous oxide will be studied on different NMDA-receptor subunit combinations. The mechanistic information obtained may help to explain why xenon possesses unique beneficial clinical properties such as neuroprotection.

Experience of one or more of the techniques of electrophysiology, cell culture and molecular biology would be an advantage, although training will be provided.

Applicants should have a First class or Upper Second class degree or equivalent. Applicants should send a copy of their CV with the names and contact details of 2 referees (quoting ref P03202) to Dr Robert Dickinson ( r.dickinson@imperial.ac.uk).

The studentship is available immediately. Note that the studentship does not cover fees for a non-UK or non-EU student. Applicants are requested to make contact by e-mail, but postal applications can be sent to Dr Robert Dickinson, Biophysics Group, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BW.