MRC Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership (ITTP) PhD studentship scheme
The MRC is continuing to support the ITTP initiative that is aimed at improving and securing capacity in the toxicological sciences. Through partnerships between academia, industry and government the initiative seeks to build the expertise in toxicology and related disciplines that is required to ensure the safe and effective development of drugs, chemicals and consumer products, and to provide better assessment of risk deriving from environmental exposure.
This is the third round of the MRC ITTP annual competition to support PhD studentships in Toxicology. The emphasis is on aligning modern, cutting edge approaches, such as cell, molecular or systems biology with the toxicological sciences. Collaborative partnerships between universities and other relevant organisations, including industry and Government agencies are encouraged. Priority is on bringing to the ITTP innovative concepts and approaches from fields traditionally not considered to be associated with toxicology.
The studentships are intended to encourage the application of cutting edge science and technology to translational research in toxicology, and to provide opportunities for a thorough training in all aspects of the discipline. Research projects should meet the main aim of ITTP in achieving cross-fertilisation between toxicology and advances in other disciplines.
A key feature of the initiative will be its training programme which will bring together aspects of established toxicology courses with other relevant sciences and an annual residential academy exclusively for ITTP PhD students. Students will also benefit from a broad training in generic and transferable research and scientific skills.
Applications may be from a single academic department (including MRC and charity-funded institutes), from two or more academic departments, or preferably from a collaboration of academia with a relevant industrial laboratory or government agency, In cases of collaborative applications contributions of each partner should be clearly displayed. The proposed work should be feasible to be conducted by a PhD student within the four years.
The ITTP is managed by the MRC Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester.
Assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed by a Scientific Committee established by the programme Steering Committee*. Decisions will be reached on the basis of scientific quality, feasibility, the integrative, multidisciplinary nature of proposed projects in line with the aims of the call and the likelihood of success. Key criteria for assessment will be:
- The novelty of the research proposal in the field of toxicology and its suitability as a vehicle for PhD training.
- The relevance of the proposal in the light of present toxicological concerns for human health and environmental safety.
- Opportunity for the student to develop a range of skills relevant to the toxicological sciences, such as cell and molecular biology, systems biology, novel imaging technologies etc..
- A proven track record in the successful training of PhD students.
* The ITTP Steering Committee consists of Prof K Chipman, Prof P Elliott, Prof S Holgate, Dr C Joseph, Prof I Kimber, Prof P Matthews, Dr R Peck, Prof L Smith and Prof K Woods.
How to apply?
Application forms can be down loaded from the MRC Toxicology website, under the heading Integrated Toxicology Training Partnership.
After completion application forms should be sent to Dr Andy Smith ags5@le.ac.uk.
Deadline dates
Deadline for the receipt of applications will be 31 October 2009.
Please note that applications received by the MRC after the deadline stated or outside the remit of the call will be rejected. There will be no scope for applicants to respond to reviewers’ comments. The decision of the scientific committee will not be open to appeal.
It is anticipated that the outcome of PhD studentship applications will be available in December.
Contact and guidance
If you have any queries on your proposal please email: ags5@le.ac.uk or lsj2@le.ac.uk.