Closing date: 13 June 2025
Open to: UK applicants only
Funding Providers: EPSRC DLA funding and Swansea University Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science
Subject areas: Pharmaceutical Science, Nanomedicine
Project start date: October 2025
Supervisors: Dr Zi Hong Mok, Professor Lewis Francis
Aligned programme of study: PhD Pharmacy
Mode of study: Full-Time
Place of Study: Swansea University
Project Description:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory illness that causes ongoing bodily inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It has been reported that one in every 123 people in the UK has a diagnosis of IBD. Over and above that, SAIL Databank at Swansea University has discovered that over 50% more people in Wales have IBD than previously recognised.
Current mesalazine formulations to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), including tablets, suppositories, and enemas, are typically associated with adverse systemic effects. Nevertheless, the innovative encapsulation of mesalazine in nanocarriers has demonstrated success in targeting inflammatory regions and treating mild to moderate IBD.
This project will investigate the use of polymeric nanocarriers for improving the overall solubility, absorption, and bioavailability of mesalazine while minimising the side effects associated with its absorption. With a formulation created from mesalazine-loaded nanocarriers, the expected outcome is improved local targeting and pharmacokinetics of the loaded mesalazine. The research aims to provide an alternative formulation to support the quality of life of IBD patients.
This three-year studentship will be hosted within the Pharmacy programme (Grove Building, Singleton Campus), in collaboration with the Centre for Nanohealth (the Institute of Life Science 2, Singleton Campus), both in the Medical School of Swansea University. The successful student will be supported by members of the research team and existing industrial, academic and clinician collaborations.
This studentship will be multi-disciplinary, working across research strengths in nanoparticle formulations and in vitro approaches. An enthusiastic graduate with interest and/or experience in the areas of nanoparticles, drug formulations, gastrointestinal disorders and cell models, is highly desired.
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/pharmacy-fmhls-epsrc-phd-rs838.php
Scholarship open to UK fee eligible students only
Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA.
PhD: 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 (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis. See - Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
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.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship you're interested in.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
To apply, please complete the entire application form:
In order 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. RS838
2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)
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):
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Zi Hong Mok z.h.mok@swansea.ac.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.
Open to: UK applicants only
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