Degrees and Opportunities

  • Reasons to undertake a research degree with us:

    • Develop skills and contribute to internationally recognised research.
    • Get support from skilled staff
    • Flexible part-time or full-time options via programmes including MSc by research, MPhil, PhD, a Professional Doctorate in Nursing, and PhD by published work
    • Undertake a research project connected with work
    • High quality training facilities
    • Be part of the University's Graduate College and its training sessions and workshops
    • Undertake Faculty research methodology courses and attend seminars featuring eminent academics
    • Present work at the Annual Faculty Research Student Symposium
    • Get your study funded via full-time studentships
    • Gain public engagement experience
    • Contribute to the Faculty and Research Newsletter

    Entry Requirements:

    All students must be able to meet the University’s requirements for a research degree, which is to be able to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week (full-time) or 15 hours per week (part-time) to the programme of research.

    The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MPhil, or MPhil transferring to PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.

    Before being accepted, self-funded students should provide evidence that they are able to fund adequately the whole of their research degree programme.

    Applicants whose main language is not English must meet the University's English language requirements.

    Full entry requirements can be found under Section 2 of the University’s (B6) Research Degree Regulations


    Find out more about departmental research degrees and how to apply. Information on funded, full-time studentships can also be found there

    Fee Structure for UK students, EU students and International students


  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences

  • OxINMAHR

  • 3 Year Full Time studentship
    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
    Closing date: 28 th October 2019
    Start Date: January 2020
    Bursary p.a.: £15,009 for 3 years.
    Main supervisor: Dr Sue Schutz

    To apply, view the studentship details and download the application form.

    3 Year, Full -time PhD Studentship
    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
    Bursary .: £15,009 p.a. (3 years)
    Fees: to be paid by the University
    Closing date: 28th October 2019
    Start Date: January 2020

     

    To apply, view the full studentship details and download the application form.

    3 Year Full Time studentship
    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
    Closing date: 28 th October 2019
    Start Date: January 2020
    Value p.a.: £15,009

    Contact supervisor: Dr Jane Carpenter (jane.carpenter@brookes.ac.uk)

    To apply, view the full studentship details and download the application form. 

     

  • Psychology

  • Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development

    3 Year, full-time funded PhD studentship

    Project title: Self-continuity in migration: Who am I in relation to my cultural past and my cultural future?

    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Closing date: 14 November 2019

    Interviews: 10 December 2019

    Start date: January 2019

    Bursary p.a: £15,009 for 3 years. 

    University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.

     

    Supervisors: Dr. Mark Burgess and Prof. Guida de Abreu

     

     Project:

     

     “Who am I in relation to my cultural past and my cultural future”?  The notion of self and cultural continuity presupposes that individuals must understand that they both change and remain the same through time. People experience life within a network of meanings that provide context for their interpretation of who they are, how they act, and for the identities they hold. Migrating from one culture to another can involve dwelling in a new network of meanings and these can place the individual in situations where they experience uncertainty and discontinuity with their previous self-understanding and identities (O'Sullivan-Lago & Abreu, 2010).

     

     This Ph.D. research will use a first-person theory of self that recognises the extent to which people are social beings (e.g., Hermans’ dialogical-self,  Zahavi’s experiential-self). Empirical data will be collected using qualitative methods. The research will investigate experiences where migrants face new horizons of meaning that are at odds with those of their home-culture and that threaten self-continuity. These could include negotiating change from relative-restriction to relative-freedom (e.g. a woman in a cultural patriarchy who moves to an egalitarian community, or an LGBT individual who moves from a non-supportive to a supportive culture). It could also include negotiating change from feelings of relative power to relative powerlessness (e.g., a man previously considered the unquestioned head of the household, or a person with a revered role who is now simply labelled ‘refugee’).

     

     There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6-hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

     

     For further information contact Dr. Mark Burgess mark.burgess@brookes.ac.uk

     Requirements: 

    Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of qualitative methods is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.  

    How to apply:

    Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include an application form 
    ( http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed. Applicants can liaise with Dr Mark Burgess when developing their proposal.

    Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.

    Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development 

    3 Year, full-time funded PhD studentship

    Project title: Mental Health Literacy in children and young people 

    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Closing date: 14 November 2019

    Interviews: 10 December 2019

    Start date: January 2020 

    Bursary p.a. £15,009 for 3 years

    University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.

     

    Supervisors:

    Professor David Foxcroft and Dr Emma Davies

    Project: 

    Almost a quarter of adults in England experience at least one mental disorder each year, most lifetime mental disorder arising before adulthood and with impacts across health, education, employment, relationships, violence and crime (Campion 2019). Alongside the personal impact on individuals, the World Health Organisation reports that around one trillion US dollars a year in global productivity is lost because of poor mental health (WHO 2019).  

    Prioritising childhood and adolescence is important since most lifetime mental disorder has arisen by early adulthood. Alongside this, the use of digital technology to improve mental health literacy (Jorm 2012; also see e.g. Morgan et al. 2018) and provide evidence based public mental health interventions is a priority area for further research (Campion 2019).

    This PhD studentship will focus on scoping and developing a prototype intervention for use as a public mental health intervention in settings with children and young people, for example families, schools or communities. In the Prevention Science Group at Oxford Brookes University we value the principles of co-production and employ systematic frameworks in our approach to intervention development.

    For further information contact Professor David Foxcroft (www.davidfoxcroft.com  or  david.foxcroft@brookes.ac.uk)

    Requirements:
    Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design and qualitative research methods is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.

    There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

    Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.

    How to apply:
    Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include an application form
    ( http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed. Applicants can liaise with Professor David Foxcroft when developing their proposal.

    Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development

    3 Year, full-time funded PhD studentship

    Project title: Development of Word Learning Heuristics in Monolingual and Bilingual Infants

    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Closing date: 14 November 2019

    Interviews: 10 December 2019

    Start date: January 2020 

    Bursary p.a: £15,009 for 3 years

    University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.

     

    Supervisors: Prof. Vincent Connelly, Dr Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez, Dr Olivia Afonso.

    Project:

    There is ample evidence that infants utilise a range of word learning heuristics that enable them to build vocabulary. Research has suggested that many of these heuristics rely on internal constraints and biases that limit the potential referents of an unknown word or phrase, therefore, often allowing an infant to form a reliable prediction of meanings. However, at present, the vast majority of research on these heuristics is based upon monolingual infants and often investigates each heuristic in isolation.

     

    Bilingualism is particularly interesting in relation to many of these heuristics as a multilingual language environment has several key differences in comparison to a monolingual setting . In fact, the mere principle of learning two or more languages can be considered to contradict the theories of some of these heuristics. Additionally, the study of these heuristics in isolation does not present a realistic representation of how infants are exposed to information and cues in their environment (e.g., combining referential cues with syntactic cues)

     

    A PhD in this area would aim to further understanding of the development of word learning heuristics in monolingual and bilingual infants. This could include whether these populations demonstrate different patterns in the development and use of word learning heuristics, or how they combine information from different sources to form word meaning predictions. The successful applicant will be expected to design and run studies, analyse and interpret experimental data. There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration. 

    For further information contact:

     

     Dr Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez n.gonzalez-gomez@brookes.ac.uk

     

     

     Requirements:
    Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.

    How to apply:
    Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include an application form
    ( http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed. Applicants can liaise with Professor Vincent Connelly  when developing their proposal.

    Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.

    Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development

    3 Year, full-time funded PhD studentship

    Project title:  How do I get past this? Understanding the relationship between perceptual judgement and movement execution

    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Closing date: 14 November 2019

    Interviews: 10 December 2019

    Start date: January 2020 

    Bursary p.a: £15,009 for 3 years

    University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.

     

    Supervisors: Dr Kate Wilmut, Dr Clare Rathbone and Professor Anna Barnett

    Project:

    Moving safely around our environment without collision or incident involves numerous complex processes including the movement we choose to make. For example, when faced with a narrow gap, can we squeeze through or should we go around? When considering factors which constrain these decisions body size is clearly important, but additional factors such as movement capabilities (Wilmut and Barnett, 2010; 2011) and emotional state (Riener et al., 2011) also play a role.   

    Wilmut, Du and Barnett (2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SABXFrAJtF8) further demonstrate that our judgement of what we say we would do (perception) can be different from what we actually do (action). Unpublished data from this project demonstrate that movement ability constrains action but not perception in a population with a movement difficulty. Further unpublished work, has found that state anxiety influences perception but not action in an adult population. In combination these findings highlight a complex interplay between perception and action and the factors which constrain these.

    A PhD in this area would focus on factors which mediate the relationship between perception and action. Such factors could include emotional state for different populations, the interplay between movement ability and emotion, the relationship between emotion and self-efficacy. Such a project could be carried out in children and/or adults. The successful applicant will be expected to design, run and analyse experimental data exploring motor control using motion capture equipment to measure movement. There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration. 

    For further information contact Dr Kate Wilmut: k.wilmut@brookes.ac.uk

    Requirements:
    Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate  (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.  

    How to apply:
    Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include an application form                     
    ( http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.  Applicants can liaise with Dr Kate Wilmut when developing their proposal. 

    Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.

    Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development

    3 Year, full-time funded PhD studentship

    Project title:  Self and emotion in depression

    Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Closing date: 14 November 2019

    Interviews: 10 December 2019

    Start date: January 2020

    Bursary p.a. £15,009 for 3 years 

    University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.

     

    Supervisors:  Dr Sanjay Kumar & Dr Michael Pilling

    Project:

    A range of research has indicated a bias for information associated with self in attention, perception and memory [Stole, Humphreys, Yankouskaya, & Sui (2017); Sui & Humphreys, (2015); Zhou, Guo, Ma, Zhang, Liu, Feng, Zhong (2017)]. Similar biases have also been observed with emotional stimuli. Some studies from our lab indicate that individuals show self-related bias in attention and memory and they can integrate self and positive emotion information to show even larger self-biases. In a recent study (under preparation) we have shown that individuals with depression show systematically reduced self-biases for both happy and sad emotional stimuli.

     

    The research will extend this line of investigation. The PhD candidate’s research project will investigate the role of self and emotion in biased information processing in individuals with depression using behavioural experiments, EEG/ERP and TMS.  The project will be supervised by Dr Sanjay Kumar and Dr Michael Pilling at Oxford Brookes University. The successful candidate would be expected to present at scientific meetings and publish.  There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

    For further information contact Dr Sanjay Kumar (skumar@brookes.ac.uk)

     

    Requirements:
    Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or MSc or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (neuroscience, engineering, physics, mathematics or natural sciences). The candidate should be able to work with varied groups of patient populations, if required, and be interested in learning EEG/ERP methods.  EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.

    How to apply:
    Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.ukand should include an application form
    ( http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed. Applicants can liaise with Dr Sanjay Kumar when developing their proposal.

    Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.

  • Nutrition

  • Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time Studentship sponsored by Slimming World

    Bursary: £14,777 for academic year 2018/2019

    Fees: Tuition fees will be paid by the University

    Closing date: 28 November 2018, 5.00pm

    Interview Date(s): 4 or 10 December 2018

    Start date: 21 January 2019

    Project Title: The effects of ready meal consumption on appetite, satiety and subsequent food intake

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Sarah Hillier

    2nd supervisor: Dr Helen Lightowler

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Nutrition or related subject. Applicants must have or be eligible for AfN registration as a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ARNutr). Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply.

    Project Description:

    In the last year alone, UK consumers have spent over £1.6 billion on supermarket ready meals. Statistica Consumer Goods predicts a market value growth in the ready meal industry of 19.5% between the years 2015-2019. Previous research investigating the composition of supermarket ready meals has found them to be high in protein, fat, saturated fat, whilst low in carbohydrates. As current NHS guidelines on weight management highlight decreasing fat intake, especially saturated fat, it is important to develop products that align more with NHS guidelines, whilst keeping consumers satiated and satisfied.

    This project aims to explore the scientific principles of satiety and energy density in a new range of commercially available ready meals and is sponsored by Slimming World.

    The project will be based in the Centre for Nutrition and Health at Oxford Brookes University. Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health undertakes leading edge research focused on tackling overweight and obesity, improving glycaemic control and reducing inflammation, thereby helping to improve the health and well-being of the global population. https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/nutrition/research/oxbcnh/

    For further information on the project please email: Dr Sarah E Hillier sarahhillier@brookes.ac.uk

    How to apply:

    Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.

  • Social Work

  • Sport

  • Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU.

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on asthma symptoms and inflammation. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

    2nd supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether hydroxy gas inhalation has positive effects on asthma symptoms and associated inflammation as well as general wellbeing. Asthma bronchiale has an underlying inflammatory component which is linked to the severity of associated symptoms. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. There are some promising study results in the treatment of COPD and COVID patients with hydroxy gas. However, studies into asthma have been limited to animal studies.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the treatment of asthma symptoms and general anti-inflammatory effects that could be applied in a variety of health conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Peter Wright:  pwright@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply:

    Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU.

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on eczema symptoms and wellbeing. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

    2nd supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether hydroxy gas inhalation has positive effects on eczema symptoms and general wellbeing. Eczema is an autoimmune disease similar to asthma bronchiale that has an underlying inflammatory component. The conventional treatment includes the application of corticosteroids. However, it is a condition that generally is difficult to treat. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that hydroxy gas is an effective treatment of eczema.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the treatment of eczema symptoms and has the potential to help many people with eczema and other autoimmune conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Peter Wright:  pwright@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply:

    Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on endurance performance related parameters and exercise recovery. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

    2nd supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a closely related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, also known has ‘hydroxy gas’, has a positive effect on endurance performance and recovery from exercise. Hydrogen (H), with atomic number 1, is the lightest element in the periodic table and the most abundant chemical substance in the universe. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. There are a number of studies which suggest hydrogen enriched water and hydroxy gas might have performance enhancing effects. However, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. In addition to the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. Studies in the sports science and/or sports medicine context using hydroxy gas are still sparse and require further investigation using more rigorous methods.

     

    Findings from this work will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas inhalation in the context of human performance and recovery as well as indicate the potential to be translated into occupational and health settings.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Roger Ramsbottom:  rramsbottom@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply: Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme
     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in the UK/EU

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on exercise induced muscle damage and associated inflammation. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr John Jakeman

    2nd supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether exercise induced muscle damage symptoms and associated inflammation can be reduced through the inhalation of a Hydrogen-Oxygen combination known as hydroxy gas.  Oxidative stress in the cell results from the robust oxidising potential of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Acute oxidative stress may result from various conditions, such as vigorous exercise, inflammation, injury, etc. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. However, studies in sports science and/or sports medicine context are still sparse and require investigation with more rigorous methods.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the context of cell protection and anti-inflammation that could be used either as a recovery strategy in sports or the treatment of inflammatory related symptoms in a variety of health conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr John Jakeman:  jjakeman@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply: Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.

  • Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS)

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    Three years, full time PhD Research Studentship in Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences


    Project Title: EPIC: Exercise, Physiology, Imaging and Cardiometabolism

    Eligibility: UK/EU

    Bursary: £14,777 (2018/2019)

    Fees: Tuition fees will be paid for by the University

    Closing Date: 09 December 2018, 5pm

    Start date: 08 April 2019

     

    How to apply:

    Completed application forms should be emailed to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk together with a CV.


    Requirements:

    Applicant must hold a UK/EU passport and a degree in a discipline related to the expectations of the role. For full details of entry requirements please visit the Postgraduate Courses Entry Requirements.


    Project description:

    For this studentship, the successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team at the Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS) working on a pioneering new University of Oxford study, “OxSOCRATES”, that addresses the origins of cardiovascular disease in the young and, in particular, how sedentary behaviour and obesity contribute to early disease development.

    The study is the first of its kind to be funded by the British Heart Foundation and is under the overall leadership of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Alexander Jones (Paediatric Cardiologist and Senior Clinical Scientist, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford), who brings expertise in the early cardiometabolic abnormalities of childhood that precede established adult cardiovascular disease, and works in close collaboration with Professor Helen Dawes (Director of MOReS, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University), who brings a wealth of expertise from her studies of children’s exercise physiology in the Oxfordshire region.

    The successful candidate will be expected to:

    • engage with and visit participating schools
    • provide an exercise intervention and ongoing support to participating schools
    • participate fully in relevant research activities
    • present at relevant scientific meetings and to publish their work

    Appropriate training relevant to undertaking a PhD will be provided as well as an honorary contract with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

    Any successful candidate will be subject to a DBS search once they enrol. In view of checking procedures they will be required to exhibit specified documents: 

    https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-documents

    For further information on the project please e-mail Professor Helen Dawes hdawes@brookes.ac.uk or Dr Alexander Jones alexander.jones@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk.