CANDIDATE BRIEF

Faculty of Medicine and Health

Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine

At the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds (UoL), a PhD-position is available within the ThromboRisk project, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network funded by the EU. The position is open for appointment during the course of 2026, with a duration of 36 months hosted by UoL, and includes two 3-month secondments at University of Bern (Switzerland) and University College London (UK).

We are looking for you!

Are you a creative, ambitious, hard-working, and persistent early career’s researcher? Do you want to be trained in cutting-edge experimental and computational techniques to understand how clot contraction influences thrombus stability and embolism risk? Are you excited to be part of a prestigious MSCA doctoral network that is revolutionizing personalized medicine through in-silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to thrombosis research? This is your chance!

This Doctoral Candidate (DC)’s first goal will be to investigate how platelet-driven clot contraction affects thrombus mechanical integrity, resistance to fibrinolysis, and embolic potential, using advanced imaging, biophysical assays, and murine models of pulmonary embolism. A second goal will consist of integrating experimental findings with in-silico models and microfluidic flow systems to explore the interplay between clot contraction, blood flow, and thrombus stability across biological scales.

Research Programme Description

ThromboRisk – European Doctoral Network From cells to systems: Pioneering multi-level thrombosis risk prediction models consortium is funded by the European Union.

ThromboRisk will develop an integrated platform to advance our understanding of thrombosis across biological scales, combining mechanobiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and computational modelling. For this inclusion to occur, each DC will develop through their research a unique contribution to the multi-level thrombosis risk prediction framework, addressing specific aspects of thrombus formation, growth, rupture, and clinical impact. This hands-on training is supplemented with several scientific professional courses and an immersive training program where the DCs can fine-tune their skills for the jobs of tomorrow, while addressing the societal challenges of the ThromboRisk program.  

About Universities and companies hosting this position

• The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, known for its excellence in biomedical and clinical research. This PhD project will be hosted within the School of Medicine, which is internationally recognised for its work in cardiovascular science, thrombosis, fibrin clot structure and inflammation. The project will be based in the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), a centre of excellence that integrates molecular, cellular, and clinical approaches to tackle major health challenges.

LICAMM researchers collaborate closely with NHS partners and industry to translate laboratory discoveries into improved diagnostics and therapies. The University places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and societal impact, making it an ideal environment for training future leaders in biomedical science.

• University of Bern (Prof. Dominik Obrist) – The secondment will take place at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, where Prof. Obrist leads the Cardiovascular Engineering group. His research focuses on biomedical fluid dynamics, particularly the simulation and experimental analysis of cardiovascular flow phenomena, including clot formation and heart valve mechanics.
• University College London (Prof. Stavroula Balabani) – The secondment will be hosted in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where Prof. Balabani leads an experimental fluid mechanics group. Her work includes advanced microfluidic modelling of thrombosis (“thrombosis-on-a-chip”), with applications in haemodynamics, drug delivery, and cardiovascular diagnostics.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Robert Ariens, Professor of Vascular Biology

Email: r.a.s.ariens@leeds.ac.uk

Eligibility criteria

• Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. For ‘International European Research Organisations’ (IERO), ‘international organisations’, or entities created under Union law, the researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment in the same appointing organisation. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

Qualifications and Skills

• You have a MSc degree, or you will have it by the end of September 2026 in molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical science or a closely allied discipline.
• You have theoretical and applied knowledge or interest in biomedical, cell or molecular science.
• You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.
• If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

Additional Information

Working at Leeds 

We are a campus-based community and regular interaction with campus is an expectation of all roles in line with academic and service needs and the requirements of the role.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Leeds area visit our Working at Leeds information page. 

Our University  

As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students and staff from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Within the Faculty/School of Medicine and Health we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, those who belong to a minority ethnic community; people who identify as LGBT+; and disabled people. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability. 

Information for disabled candidates

Information for disabled candidates, impairments or health conditions, including requesting alternative formats, can be found under the ‘Accessibility’ heading on our How to Apply information page or by getting in touch by emailing HR via hr@leeds.ac.uk.

Criminal Record Information

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

A criminal record check is required for this position. All applicants will be required to declare if they have any ‘unspent’ criminal offences, including those pending.

Any offer of appointment will be in accordance with our Criminal Records policy. You can find out more about required checks and declarations in our Criminal Records information page.

Salary Requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa Route

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Professor Robert Ariens, R.A.S.Ariens@leeds.ac.uk.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about this opportunity at UoL. Please visit our website for more information about the application process  and the conditions of employment. You can also contact Sarah Clark, Business Manager mail: LICAMMBusiness@leeds.ac.uk

Applications

Candidates possessing both suitable experience and qualifications are invited to apply. The application should include a:

• a motivation letter, including the topic of your MSc thesis project.
• Certificates and transcripts from all previous degrees (Bachelor’s and Master’s): please provide copies of the original documents and certified translations into English where relevant.  
• a curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references).
• a list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.
• Evidence of English language proficiency (where appropriate): Research postgraduate admissions policy: proof of English language proficiency | University of Leeds

Review of applications will start as soon as applications close and will continue until the position is filled. Promising candidates will be contacted by email.