| University of Exeter

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. What if ribosomes carried a code that helps build the brain? Ribosomes are complex molecular structures that play active roles in protein synthesis. During development, progenitor cells generate a diverse pool of neurons that form the adult brain circuits, but the role of protein synthesis in this key developmental process is still poorly understood. Using zebrafish and mouse models, this project will compare ribosomes in progenitors and newly born neurons, combining developmental neuroscience with structural biology imaging. This research will uncover fundamental mechanisms of brain development and provide insight into processes disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. 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. £21,805. Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 per annum updated each year) plus UK/Home tuition fees