Arthritis Research Campaign Pain Centre
School of Biomedical Sciences
University of Nottingham
PhD studentship: Imaging studies of brain activation in models of OA pain
Supervisors: Professor Victoria Chapman, Dr Mirjam Schubert and Professor Dorothee Auer
Aim of studentship
The aim of this studentship is to improve our understanding of the supraspinal circuits
activated by innocuous and noxious stimulation in established models of osteoarthritic pain.
This research maps directly onto the programme of work within the ARC Pain centre
framework of studies. This project will use two established models of osteoarthritic pain and
full behavioural testing will be conducted prior to the imaging studies. Functional magnetic
resonance imaging will be used to investigate the supraspinal mechanisms underlying pain
responses in models of osteoarthritis and the effects of existing and novel analgesic drugs
on brain activation in a non-invasive manner. In addition, we will investigate the dynamic
effects of chronic pain on structural MRI using established morphometric techniques and on
spontaneous brain activity using novel physiological MRI.
Environment
The ARC National Pain Centre has recently been created at The University of Nottingham to
investigate the mechanisms that lead to the chronic pain experienced by people with
arthritis, and to improve the treatment of that pain (www.nottingham.ac.uk/paincentre). This
multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together expertise in the investigation of pain
mechanisms, pain assessment, and the evaluation of existing and novel analgesics. The
successful student will join a multidisciplinary team, developing their project within a
programme of translational research into the mechanisms of pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA).
This studentship is fully funded for 4 years. These studentships include the payment of
tuition fees at the Home/EU rate and a maintenance stipend of £13,290 per annum, in the
first instance. Non-EU students are welcome, would have to self fund the difference
between the Home/EU and International Fee.
Students must have a UK 2.1 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. It is suitable for
someone with an interest in translational MR physics and the processing of fMRI data, or a
biologically-based student with a back-ground in neuroscience. We offer a taught course in
translational MRI that can be integrated into the PhD training.
For more information please contact Prof V Chapman
(victoria.chapman@nottingham.ac.uk).
Applications with a detailed CV, the names and addresses of two referees, together with an
indication of which project(s) you wish to be considered for, should be sent to Dr D A Walsh,
Director, ARC National Pain Centre, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, Nottingham,
NG5 1PB. Closing date: 12 Feb 2010.