PhD Studentship in Social Inequality and Epigenetics

Post Summary

The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland has an opportunity for a well-qualified applicant interested in PhD level research exploring the impact of social inequality on our ageing biology, supported by an Irish Research Council (IRC) Advanced Laureate Award to Professor Cathal McCrory. The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Cathal McCrory, Professor in Life Course Development and Ageing (primary supervisor) and Dr. Nollaig Bourke, Assistant Professor in Inflammageing (secondary supervisor). The fully funded candidate will be a core team member of the TILDA research group which is comprised of researchers, data managers, clinical fellows, students and an administrative team. They will acquire experience in social epidemiology, machine learning, and wet-lab exposure.  A tax-free stipend of €25,000 per year is available, and PhD fees are also covered. The research project will also provide adequate funding for equipment, materials and travel (conferences, courses, etc) and is expected to complete in 4 years.

Description of the Project

Individuals of lower socio-economic position (SEP) develop diseases earlier and die earlier on average compared with their more advantaged counterparts. They spend a larger proportion of their fewer years living with illness and disability. The damaging effects of low SEP can be seen in every major system of the human body which suggests that there may be common biological mechanism(s) underlying the increased risk of poor health. The revolution in machine learning coupled with the advent of ‘omics-based’ platforms is providing unparalleled insights into our understanding of how the social environment gets transduced at a more fundamental cellular and molecular level to accelerate biological ageing. This project will use longitudinal data from child and adulthood cohorts and modern methods of causal inference to untangle the complex relationship between SEP, DNAm, and health.

Aims:

Objective 1: Undertake systematic review of the literature linking socio-economic position and DNA methylation.

Objective 2: To explore the time course and longitudinal trajectory of the relationship between SEP and DNA methylation. 

Objective 2: To examine the extent to which these patterns are modifiable or reversible.

Objective 4: To investigate how SEP-driven changes in DNA methylation alters inflammatory responses across socio-economic groups.

NOTE: Applicants must have been resident in an EU member state for 3 out of the last 5 years to be eligible for EU fees

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses) and a statement of interest, to:

• Name: Prof Cathal McCrory, Professor in Life Course Ageing and Development 
• Email Address: [email protected]

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those whom have been displaced due to war.

We are ranked 3rd in the world for gender equality (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020) and we hold an Athena SWAN Bronze award, recognising our work to advance gender equality. The University is actively pursuing a Silver level award, which it has committed to achieving by 2025. Trinity is committed to supporting the work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment