Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SHES8850124

Start dates

October 2024

Application deadline

19 January 2024

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year PhD to commence in October 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, and will be supervised by Dr Tom Williams, Dr Joe Costello and Dr Matt Miller-Dicks.

Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Investigate potential mechanisms that may determine altitude illness or cognitive decline during exposure to a high-altitude environment. 
  • Training and development in a wide array of physiological and biochemical measures.
  • Working alongside a team of world leading national and international collaborators.

Each year millions of individuals travel to high altitude environments for reasons of occupation, recreation and exploration. Whilst the mountains are host to a range of potential stressors, the defining feature of the high-altitude environment is sustained hypoxia. The reduction in oxygen availability can cause decrements in both physical and cognitive performance and result in various forms of high-altitude illness, including acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema, and even death.

Unfortunately, identifying those most at risk of developing complications during ascent to high-altitude is incredibly challenging. Furthermore, the underlying pathophysiology of both altitude illness and altitude induced cognitive decline (e.g. decision making) are not completely understood. Using our world-class environmental laboratory, this project aims to simulate the high-altitude environment in order to investigate several key mechanisms that may determine altitude illness and cognitive performance during high altitude exposure.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Applications are encouraged from those with an interest in environmental physiology.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Tom Williams (thomas.williams@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SHES8850124 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.