Neuroscience and Genetics: Fully Funded MSc Studentship in Identification of a novel gene mutation for episodic ataxia (RS783)

Funding provider: SDMF 

Subject areas: Neuroscienc, Genetics 

Project start dates:

• 1 July 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-June) 
• 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) 

Supervisors: Emma Kenyon, Owen Pickrell 

Aligned programme of study:  MSc by Research in Medical and Health Care Studies 

Mode of study:  Full Time 

Project description: 
Funds are available to pay the fees of a MSc by Research in Medical and Health Care Studies for a student working on a project that seeks to produce a zebrafish model of episodic ataxia. Ataxia is a neurological disorder affecting movement, balance, and speech. A gene mutation has been identified in a family with episodic ataxia, to confirm if this is the causative mutation, zebrafish with the same mutation will be created to test for similar symptoms.

Please note this is a fees only scholarship and does not pay a stipend.

For enquiries relating to the research project please contact emma.kenyon@swansea.ac.uk. The successful student will start no later than the 1st of October 2025 but ideally the 1st of July 2025. 

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible students only   

MSc by Research: Applicants for Msc by Research must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See - Country-specific Information for European Applicants and Country-specific Information for International Applicants.

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees. Please note this is a fees only scholarship and does not pay a stipend. 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,194.00 will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:

Medical and Health Care Studies / MSc by Research / Full-time / 1 Year / July
or
Medical and Health Care Studies / MSc by Research / Full-time / 1 Year / October

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this case, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

     2. Start year – please select 2025

     3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS783 - Ataxia'

*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):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable)
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact: Emma Kenyon - emma.kenyon@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.