PhD FindDoctoral opportunities · PhDFind
Menu
中文

Funded PhD: Exercise-Induced Extracellular Vesicles and Tissue Crosstalk in Health

Project 2255 · University of Birmingham · School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences

Application workspace

Save this opportunity and prepare around its actual requirements. Confirm deadlines and eligibility at the original source.

Read the research report View the recruitment source
Country or region
United Kingdom
Application deadline
2026-11-23 (confirm the exact time with the source)
Funding
Four-year competitive BBSRC/MIBTP award; successful international awardees receive full tuition and a UKRI-rate stipend (£21,805 is the saved 2026/27 rate; 2027 rate unconfirmed). International candidates fall under a network-wide 30% recruitment limit; the saved wording does not specify its denominator or individual odds. Research/training, conference and laptop support are reported; visa/IHS, relocation and dependant-cost coverage is unconfirmed.

The research opportunity

Funded PhD: Exercise-Induced Extracellular Vesicles and Tissue Crosstalk in Health

Project overview

Exercise changes circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), but their tissue origins, destinations and biological effects remain uncertain. This four-year BBSRC-funded MIBTP PhD is based at the University of Birmingham’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, with expected entry in October 2027. The saved call gives a 23 November 2026 application deadline; whether applications are still being accepted has not been confirmed.

Research question and doctoral work

The student will combine human exercise samples, induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived models and existing omics datasets. They will examine how exercise changes EV number, size, surface markers and molecular cargo, then test how these changes affect recipient cells. Four linked questions ask whether new methods can identify EV sources and destinations; whether EVs transfer active signalling proteins, including kinases; which proteins and RNAs are enriched after exercise; and whether EVs affect processes relevant to exercise adaptation, metabolic health and healthy ageing. No specific kinase is named, and the project does not assume that measured changes cause health benefits.

The work spans exercise physiology, EV isolation and characterisation, molecular and cell biology, induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived models, proteomics, RNA analysis and computational data science. Training includes experimental design, reproducible quantitative analysis and interdisciplinary work. The balance of human, model and computational research remains to be confirmed.

School, field and training

Birmingham awards the degree through the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. The route is the 180D MIBTP PhD, not the professional DSportExSci doctorate. The four-year partnership includes quantitative bioscience training, a three-month research mini-project away from the home institution, a technical mini-project, an industry placement and cross-university masterclasses. Project and supervision information

Martin Whitham is the primary supervisor; Professor Sam Lucas is listed as a secondary supervisor. Richard Elsworthy is an additional contact, but the saved materials do not confirm a formal supervisory role.

Eligibility and how to apply

The network normally seeks a relevant first or high 2:1. A lower 2:1 with a master’s degree or substantial postgraduate research experience may be considered; exceptional 2:2 cases are assessed individually. Admissions determines international degree equivalence. Prior expertise in every advertised technique is not required.

Apply through the project-linked 180D route with the exact project title and primary supervisor, a CV, a research-methods training response, and an English transcript showing every module and grade. Each programme application may name one project; applicants may submit up to five programme applications. MIBTP allows a blank proposal file and an optional statement marked “N/A”; select BBSRC Research Council funding and complete the subsequent Warwick EDI form. An English-language certificate may be supplied later as an offer condition, but the saved course account gives no numeric 180D threshold. Interviews are expected in late January or early February 2027.

Timing and funding

Application deadline: 23 November 2026 (time of day and time zone are not stated; current acceptance is unconfirmed). Expected entry: October 2027.

This is a competitive four-year BBSRC/MIBTP award. Successful international awardees receive full tuition fees and a UKRI-rate stipend; the saved £21,805 figure applies to 2026/27 only, and the 2027 rate is unconfirmed. International candidates fall under a network-wide 30% recruitment limit. The saved wording does not specify its denominator, so it cannot be converted into this project’s quota or an individual applicant’s odds. Research and training, conference and laptop support are reported. Visa/IHS, relocation, dependants, and specific placement travel or accommodation coverage need confirmation.

Questions to resolve

Confirm whether the call still accepts applications, the deadline time and time zone, reference requirements, the 2027 stipend, the English-language threshold, Elsworthy’s formal role, sample and data access, ethics, and the expected split between human, cell-model and computational work.

Research and application brief

Report generated: . This date does not confirm that recruitment remains open.

Information updated: . Recheck the original notice before applying.

Show report contents

Funded PhD: Exercise-Induced Extracellular Vesicles and Tissue Crosstalk in Health

How can we distinguish tissue communication carried by exercise-induced extracellular vesicles from other changes in blood? This project connects human exercise physiology, cell models and quantitative omics to test that distinction. Martin Whitham is the primary supervisor and Professor Sam Lucas the listed secondary supervisor; Richard Elsworthy is an additional collected contact whose formal supervision role needs confirmation. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision

The saved call lists October 2027 MIBTP entry and a 23 November 2026 deadline. Birmingham covers all international tuition for successful awardees; this is competitive BBSRC funding, not a guaranteed personal award or a new confirmation of availability. Birmingham 2027 MIBTP projects and full international fee coverage

Research work and unresolved problem

Exercise changes circulating extracellular vesicles, but their tissue origins, destinations and biological effects remain uncertain. The advertised PhD uses human exercise samples, induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived models and existing omics datasets. It studies vesicle number, size, surface markers and molecular cargo, then recipient-cell responses. Four linked questions concern sources/destinations, transfer of active signalling proteins including kinases as a class, exercise-enriched proteins/RNAs, and effects relevant to adaptation, metabolic health and healthy ageing. It does not prescribe a named kinase or a particular disease target. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision

Training spans physiology, vesicle separation/characterisation, molecular/cell biology, proteomics, RNA analysis and computational data science. The central inference problem is moving from a changed blood measurement to vesicle-specific transfer and function: non-vesicular components, cell-model context and participant variability can explain apparent effects. MISEV 2023's selected introductory guidance and its separate editorial emphasise terminology, heterogeneity and functional attribution. “Extracellular vesicle” should not automatically become “exosome”; potential biomarkers or intervention targets are future possibilities, not established health benefits. MISEV 2023 consensus on extracellular vesicle research MISEV 2023 editorial scope and limitations

Ask what samples and datasets are already available, who supports quantitative integration, how ownership/ethics/access work, and what publishable analysis remains if functional attribution is inconclusive. A credible thesis can establish limits on communication models rather than demonstrate a therapeutic effect. The 2018 Whitham paper is historical rationale; its abstract alone cannot establish current facilities or settle these questions. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision Whitham et al., 2018: exercise and extracellular vesicles foundational paper

School, subject and doctoral training

The University of Birmingham awards the degree, in its School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences. MIBTP is a six-university training partnership; it does not automatically award a joint degree. Independent programme evidence describes supervised independent research, seminars, a probationary first year and annual progression review. Generic monthly supervisory meetings are supplemented by Whitham's more specific weekly commitments. The professional DSportExSci is a different doctorate; use the exact 180D MIBTP PhD route. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision Birmingham 2027 MIBTP projects and full international fee coverage Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences research degree 2027

The saved school account reports REF 2021 sixth in Sport/Exercise/Leisure/Tourism; the current course reports QS subject 2026 ninth worldwide, second UK. Birmingham's QS 2027 overall 68th is broader context. These concern a unit/subject/university, not EV-laboratory quality. Physiology and biochemistry facilities support interdisciplinary work, but neither rankings nor a facilities list guarantees particular instrument time. Birmingham official university rankings Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences research degree 2027 School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences independent environment

MIBTP's four-year pathway combines quantitative/bioscience training, a three-month research mini-project away from the home institution, a technical mini-project and an industry placement, with multi-university masterclasses. Ask how these periods align with sample access, annual reviews and thesis submission; generic three-year course text plus optional write-up does not determine this funded timetable. Birmingham also provides transferable training and doctoral career advice, mentoring and enterprise support. MIBTP current programme MIBTP programme FAQ Birmingham Doctoral Programme Doctoral researcher career support

Supervisors and recent evidence

Whitham is Associate Professor in Exercise Metabolism, with expertise in endocrine tissue crosstalk, quantitative proteomics and EVs. His published supervision profile promises initial technical training, increasing independence and at least weekly scheduled meetings in years one to three, with weekly evidence of engagement. Working hours are flexible; Teams communication sometimes extends to weekends, so agree boundaries. Written work up to 5,000 words requires two weeks' notice. Fourth-year frequency is unspecified. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision Martin Whitham current research profile

The saved Lucas profile identifies him as Professor, promoted in 2024, with an Otago doctorate and expertise in cerebrovascular, exercise and environmental physiology. His profile's completed/current student numbers are a snapshot, not a completion rate. Elsworthy is Assistant Professor in Exercise and Brain Health, with Birmingham biochemistry doctoral training and relevant iPSC experience. Their collaborations support interdisciplinary access, but do not resolve Elsworthy's formal role in this award. Sam Lucas current official profile Richard Elsworthy current official profile

The three assessments below retain their earlier selected results, discussion, limitations and contribution reading; they do not claim a new full-paper review.

Elsworthy et al., 2026: exercise serum and cell models

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology study examines post-exercise serum in neuron/astrocyte models. Several processing outputs change; the proposed preferential protective shift is only partially supported. Serum is not isolated EVs, so this does not demonstrate EV mediation. Only one control and one disease-model line, pooled responder-selected serum and monocultures limit attribution/generalisation. Elsworthy contributed conception, methods, investigation and initial drafting; Whitham/Lucas conception and review. Elsworthy et al., 2026: post-exercise serum and cell models

Hjorth et al., 2025: decorin association versus causation

The Journal of Sport and Health Science paper, online September 2024, finds exercise-secretory decorin associated with favourable human prognosis, but its mouse studies do not support decorin as the mediator of anti-tumour tissue crosstalk. Housing context also changes exercise-associated protection. Whitham contributed conception, project administration and proteomics; Hjorth led investigation/analysis/drafting. This is valuable evidence that a plausible exercise-associated protein need not explain a functional outcome, not a requirement to pursue decorin here. Hjorth et al., 2025: decorin association versus causal tissue crosstalk

Spencer et al., 2025: blood-fraction-dependent responses

The Physiological Reports study finds blood-fraction-dependent acute BDNF/precursor-protein responses, without a lactate association. Young active participants, restricted population sampling and lack of distinction between precursor/mature BDNF limit interpretation. These are transient blood findings, not EV-specific cargo or demonstrated cognitive benefit. Spencer led analysis/investigation; Elsworthy contributed methods/investigation/supervision and Lucas conception/review/supervision. The papers establish complementary expertise while leaving this project's causal questions open. Spencer et al., 2025: BDNF and amyloid precursor response to exercise

Funding and living costs

The saved Birmingham MIBTP page explicitly funds full international fees and a UKRI-rate stipend. The £21,805 annual figure is for 2026/27, not a confirmed 2027 award rate. International candidates fall under the network-wide 30% recruitment limit. The saved wording does not specify its denominator, so it cannot be converted into this project's quota or an individual applicant's odds. General support includes research/training costs, conference travel and a laptop; establish actual placement/rotation travel and accommodation provision. Visa, immigration health surcharge, relocation and dependants need separate planning. A closed, Home-only 2024 EV scholarship is a different scheme, not a nationality restriction on this separate 2027 award. Birmingham 2027 MIBTP projects and full international fee coverage MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility MIBTP current programme UKRI student funding support Separate closed 2024 EV scholarship clarification

The university's 2025/26 budget is £241–253 weekly private accommodation or £268–280 in halls, already incorporating the listed rent/bills. Across 52 weeks that is approximately £12,532–13,156 or £13,936–14,560. Travel, social costs and clothing are excluded; 2027 rent, deposits, immigration and training-related travel may materially change the balance. The apparent margin against a different-year stipend is not a savings forecast. Birmingham current living-budget guidance

Applicant preparation

The network normally seeks a relevant first/high 2:1; a lower 2:1 with a master's or substantial postgraduate experience may qualify, with exceptional 2:2 cases assessed individually. International equivalence is decided by admissions. A useful application demonstrates quantitative physiology/cell/omics understanding, reproducible analysis and reasoning about correlation versus mechanism; prior mastery of every advertised technique is not stated. Whitham exact MIBTP project and supervision MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility

A preparation example can explain what changed, which alternative explanations remain, and why cell-model findings cannot yet establish a human health benefit. Discuss how sample availability, model work, computational training and rotations fit together, and what independent research remains feasible if functional attribution stays uncertain. This demonstrates evidence judgement rather than adding an experimental protocol.

Career and transferable skills

Potential paths include exercise/metabolic research, quantitative cell biology, omics and biotechnology research. Industry placement and doctoral career support broaden exposure, not employment guarantees. Ask which work will be mainly computational versus participant/laboratory based and who provides day-to-day mentoring. English evidence can follow initial application as an offer condition; the saved reading of the exact course body did not establish numerical English criteria, so confirm the actual 180D requirement rather than borrowing another school's score. Birmingham 2027 MIBTP projects and full international fee coverage Doctoral researcher career support Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences research degree 2027

Next actions and verification questions

Contact Whitham and the listed team about samples, causal interpretation, supervision roles/boundaries, resource access and the four-year schedule. Apply through Birmingham's exact project-linked 180D portal by 23 November: one project per programme, up to five programme applications, exact title/primary supervisor, CV, methods-training answer and English transcripts containing all modules/grades. MIBTP permits a blank proposal and optional statement marked N/A, overriding generic proposal instructions; select BBSRC Research Council funding and complete the subsequent Warwick EDI form. Interview activity is expected late January/early February 2027. Confirm reference arrangements, deadline time, English threshold, personal funding terms and immigration costs before committing. Birmingham 2027 MIBTP projects and full international fee coverage MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility

Evidence and sources

The three recent papers are discussed from selected substantive sections and contributor-role information, not as complete-paper reviews. The MISEV material is an introductory consensus scope plus a separate editorial; the 2018 foundational paper is represented only by its abstract. The saved materials do not state whether applications remain open, the exact deadline time or time zone, a numeric 180D English-language threshold, the 2027 stipend, or Elsworthy's formal supervision role. The closed 2024 Home-only EV scholarship is a different scheme and does not establish a nationality restriction for this project.

Sources

The listing may come from a university or recruitment platform. Check the notice and official sources in the report for current application requirements. View the recruitment source

Explore opportunities with related research or the same country, prioritising similar funding where relevant. Recheck each notice before applying.

University of Sheffield · United Kingdom

Bio-Inspired MEMS PhD: Acoustic Sensing for Buried Water-Pipe Condition Assessment

Competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award. The project listing advertises 3.5 years, full tuition, a UKRI-rate stipend currently stated as £21,805/year (2026/27 benchmark), and a project research grant. EPSRC funding is based on the Home tuition rate; Sheffield says it covers the difference for successful international awardees. International awards are capped at 30%, with up to ten places anticipated by Sheffield and Home applications considered first. The 2027/28 stipend and project-grant amount/scope are not stated.

2027-01-13 (confirm the exact time with the source)

University of Leeds · United Kingdom

Landscape Ecology PhD: Connectivity and Ecosystem Function Along Canals

YES-DTN 2027/28 competitive studentship. Scheme-level terms in project materials: 3.5 years, UKRI-rate stipend, university fees, and research/fieldwork/training/conference-travel support. International applicants may compete; up to 30% of awards may go to international candidates, with full applicable Home or International university tuition for successful award holders. Relocation, visa and NHS surcharge costs are excluded. Project-specific stipend amount and fieldwork allocation are not stated.

2027-01-12 (confirm the exact time with the source)

University of Leeds · United Kingdom

Satellite Remote Sensing PhD: Comparing Soil Organic Carbon and Moisture under Regenerative and Conventional Farming

A 3.5-year YES-DTN award is advertised with a UKRI-rate stipend, university fees, and research, fieldwork, training and conference support. The 2027/28 stipend, project research-cost allowance, 2027 international allocation and project-specific international eligibility are unknown. Visa, immigration health surcharge and relocation costs are excluded.

2027-01-12 (confirm the exact time with the source)

University of Edinburgh · United Kingdom

PhD in evolutionary cell biology | How does Diplonema papillatum segregate its chromosomes?

Listed as a competition-funded PhD opportunity for applicants worldwide. The Darwin Trust route is for non-UK nationals whose first university degree or equivalent was obtained less than five years before the closing date; the studentship lasts up to four years and includes an annual stipend and University tuition fees. The stipend amount and full overseas-fee coverage remain unconfirmed. A 2026–2027 overseas fee reference is £34,800 per year; the 2027–2028 fee and any shortfall are unconfirmed.

2027-01-06 (confirm the exact time with the source)