FUNDING CONFIRMED - RE-ADVERTISED

DEL Research Studentships

Eligibility for both fees and maintenance (£13,590 in 2012/13, 2013/14 TBC) depends on the applicants being either an ordinary UK resident or those EU residents who have lived permanently in the UK for the 3 years immediately preceding the start of the studentship. Non UK residents who hold EU residency may also apply but if successful may receive fees only.

For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the following link: http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/further-and-higher-education/higher-education/studentfinance/he-student-info-postgrad-finance.htm

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:

• IELTS score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 90+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 20, Reading 19, Speaking 21, Writing 20);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/EnglishLanguageRequirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills.  Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the UK, and typically arises from adenomatous polyps. Several modifiable dietary risk factors have been linked with the aetiology of, and survival from, CRC and adenomas. However, the role of dairy produce, calcium and vitamin D in CRC aetiology and progression remains controversial. Firstly, a systematic review of existing literature examining the relationships between a comprehensive range of measures of calcium status and exposure and colorectal cancer progression and survival will be undertaken. Secondly, dietary data from a large prospective study will be analysed to evaluate the role of calcium and dairy intake in colorectal adenoma and CRC risk. Lastly, the prognostic value of genetic polymorphisms of the calcium-sensing receptor gene will be studied in a population representative sample of 1,200 colon cancer patients from Northern Ireland.

A detailed note review on oncological treatments and colon cancer recurrence in these patients will be performed using the Northern Ireland Clinical Oncology Information System, within the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. The role of calcium-sensing receptor gene polymorphisms, and their interactions with vitamin D related genetic polymorphisms, in colon cancer death and recurrence will be evaluated.

Principal Supervisor

Dr Marie Cantwell

Secondary Supervisor

Dr H Coleman

Closing date for application is:

Thursday 14 March 2013

Interviews to be held:

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Please refer to 'Entry Requirements' for specific admissions criteria.

Apply online via the Queen's on-line application portal .  Guidance is available on the University’s Prospective Student pages.

When applying for a project, please choose ‘Medicine’ as your subject area/School.

International candidates should refer to the following link for further information with regards to studying at Queen's University Belfast: 

http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/

Please ensure you adhere to the closing dates.

If you have any further queries please contact:  pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk  or +44 (0) 28 9097 2042/2619.