SWBio DTP PhD Project: Mapping the epigenetic landscape in cells under compressive forces

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).

The SWBio DTP is funded by BBSRC and involves a partnership of world-renowned universities, research institutes and industry, based mainly across the South West and Wales. This partnership has established international, national and regional scientific networks, and widely recognised research excellence and facilities.

Studentships are available for entry in September 2026.

All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured training programme to ensure you are well equipped as a bioscience researcher, supporting careers into academia, industry and beyond.

Supervisory Team:

Lead supervisor: Dr Julia Sero (University of Bath)

Co-supervisors: Dr Despina Moschou (University of Bath), Prof Adele Murrell (University of Bath)

The Project:

Cells moving through tissues encounter compressive during normal development, wound healing, immune surveillance, and pathologies such as cancer metastasis. Mechanical forces can be transmitted through cells to the nucleus to modulate gene expression programmes, but how physical forces shape the epigenome is not yet well understood. Recently, a number of studies have shown that compression of cell nuclei can have profound effects on chromatin organisation that impact cell differentiation and behaviour. In this project, the student will design microfluidic chambers to constrain and compress migrating cells, inducing nuclear deformations that can be measured by quantitative microscopy. They will perform cutting edge RNA-seq and ATAC-sec methods to measure gene expression and chromatin availability, and elucidate the relationship between nuclear morphology and epigenetics. The results of these studies will provide insights into fundamental processes of cell biology, with applicability to therapeutics and tissue engineering.

This PhD project spans cell biology, genomics, bioengineering, and bioinformatics, with expert supervision across all fields. The student will get hands-on training in microfluidic chip design and fabrication, cell culture, fluorescence microscopy and image analysis, and bulk and single-cell sequencing. Successful applicants will have a solid background in quantitative methods, a passion for interdisciplinary science, and a creative approach to problem-solving.

Project Keywords: Cell biology, epigenetics, mechanobiology, microfluidics, bioengineering, gene regulation, cancer, development

Applicant requirements:

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree awarded with Merit.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.

* Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.

Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and to upload any supporting evidence.

If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Julia Sero: js3408@bath.ac.uk.

Formal applications must be submitted direct to the SWBio DTP using their online application form.

A list of all the projects and details on how to apply are available on the DTP’s website. You can only submit a maximum of 2 applications to the same hosting institution.

Applications will close on Wednesday 3 December at Midday (11:59am GMT)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Our aim as the SWBio DTP is to support students from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Where needed, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part-time study requests, to enable greater access to a PhD.  All our supervisors support us with this aim, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.