In vitro, toxicology, indoor pollution: Development of a 3D fluid-flow respiratory model to assess the effects on multiple inhaled respiratory exposures (RS947)

Funding Providers: UKHSA

Subject Area: Toxicology

Project Start Dates: 

• October 2026

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Supervisors:

• Kirsty Meldrum 
• Martin Clift
• Emma-Jane Goode (UKHSA)
• Emma Marczylo (UKHSA)
• Alison Buckey (UKHSA)

Aligned programme of study: PhD Toxicology and Pharmacology

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study: 

• Swansea University (Singleton Campus)
• Other: UKHSA campus (Harwell)

Project description:

The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual report (2022) highlighted the increasing issue of indoor air pollution which can vary substantially on constituents and concentrations depending on the environment. Exposure to air pollutants and airborne allergens, such as fungi and pollen, can have a serious effect on human health. Previous studies have shown that inhalation of fungi and fungal particles, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter can induce lung inflammation, reduce lung function, trigger allergic sensitisation and worsen pre-existing respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinitis etc). In severe cases, exposure can prove fatal, as tragically demonstrated by the deaths of Ella Kissi-Debrah and Awaab Ishak from excessive air pollution and prolonged mould exposure, respectively. 

However, these exposures are often completed as static isolated exposures. In reality, air is a complex mixture, and real-world exposures rarely occur one pollutant at a time. Understanding how multiple exposures interact, and how they affect different parts of the respiratory system, is therefore critical for building a more accurate picture of their impact on health.

This project seeks to develop triple respiratory epithelium models that links different areas of the airways (nasal cavity, bronchi and alveoli) through a circulating fluid system. The models will also be compatible with current aerosol exposure techniques and capable of exposing to multiple pollution components.

This project is a collaboration between Swansea University Medical School (Professor Martin Clift and Dr Kirsty Meldrum) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) (Emma-Jane Goode, Dr Emma Marczylo and Dr Alison Buckley) The student will be placed in the In Vitro Toxicology Group at FMHLS, but also undertake placement(s) at UKHSA during the studentship. The project is fully funded for 3 years.

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants only.

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis.  Biological laboratory experience is desirable.

English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27). 

To apply, please complete the entire application form here.

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS947

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)

•  In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:

• the RS Code, RS947
•  the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact:

NAME: Kirsty Meldrum and Emma-Jane Goode

EMAIL: kirsty.meldrum@swansea.ac.uk  and Emma-Jane.Goode@ukhsa.gov.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.