Robert Heaton: Funded PhD Opportunity – Improving Implantation at the First Embryo Transfer
Robert Heaton, Research Lecturer in Biomolecular and Forensic Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University, shared on LinkedIn:
“Funded PhD Opportunity: Improving Implantation at the First Embryo Transfer
I’m really pleased to share that Dr. Tempest and I have a funded NIHR ARC North West Coast Doctoral Award project now live, delivered jointly across the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).
Improving Implantation at the First Embryo Transfer: Lysosomal – Redox Control of Endometrial Decidualisation.
Infertility affects around 1 in 6 people worldwide, yet successful implantation following fertility treatment remains far from guaranteed.
Every unsuccessful embryo transfer can mean further medication, procedures, uncertainty and expense, and for some patients there may only be a limited number of opportunities to achieve a pregnancy.
Our PhD asks:
Why does the endometrium fail to support implantation in some patients, and can we identify a cellular defect that could eventually be targeted?
Dr. Tempest brings expertise in reproductive medicine, recurrent implantation failure and human endometrial biology, while I bring expertise in lysosomal biology, redox signalling, oxidative stress and mechanistic cell biology.
The project will investigate how lysosomal and redox regulation influences endometrial decidualisation, the process that prepares the womb lining for implantation.
Using mechanistic cell biology alongside clinically characterised human samples, we will investigate whether disruption of cellular stress responses contributes to recurrent implantation failure and whether identified defects can be rescued.
The student will gain experience in:
- endometrial biology,
- cell culture,
- decidualisation models,
- lysosomal biology,
- redox signalling,
- fluorescence-based assays,
- qPCR,
- western blotting,
- translational reproductive research.
The award includes:
- 3 years full-time PhD funding
- £21,805 tax-free stipend per year
- UK Home tuition fees
- Up to £1,000/year research and training support
Deadline: 13 October 2026, 1 pm
Applicants must speak with a member of the supervisory team before applying, so if you have a background in biomedical science, reproductive biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related area, please get in touch with Dr. Tempest or me.
Please share with anyone who might be a great fit.”
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