Mapping rhythms of health: Salt-dependent regulation of aldosterone secretion by ACTH and angiotensin II (DC4)

This project is part of Work Package 1: Hormone Dynamics within the ENDOTRAIN network. The ENDOTRAIN project, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, is seeking a doctoral candidate (DC4) to investigate the salt-dependent regulation of aldosterone secretion in healthy persons. 

This project sits at the exciting intersection of clinical endocrinology and data science. High blood pressure is one of the leading causing of morbidity and mortality in the world. One under-recognised contributor is the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone is a complex, dynamic hormone that we need to understand more about. In this project, you will use innovative 24-hour dynamic hormone profiling (U-RHYTHM technology) alongside wearable sensors and patient questionnaires to map how aldosterone rhythms are influenced by sodium intake and daily activities. Your work will involve conducting a study with healthy volunteers and analysing complex hormonal and physiological datasets. You will work with collaborators across the training network including a secondment to a specialist primary aldosteronism centre in Munich. The ultimate goal is to build a foundational understanding of healthy hormone rhythms to better diagnose and treat disorders like primary aldosteronism. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and conduct a clinical study with healthy volunteers.
• Utilise 24-hour dynamic hormone profiling technology
• Integrate and analyse multi-modal data (hormones, wearables, questionnaires).
• Collaborate with mathematical modellers to interpret findings.
• Disseminate results through publications and international conferences. 

Research Fields: 

Endocrinology, Digital Health, Medical Sensors, Systems Physiology, Internal Medicine, Personalised medicine, Data Analysis, Human Health, Hypertension, Metabolism 

Secondments:

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München under the supervision of Professor Martin Reincke and Dr Nicole Reisch 

• The University of Bristol has been named the 51st best university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, continuing the institution’s steady rise from 61st in 2022.
• This also means that Bristol has ranked eighth best university in the UK – a rise of one place from the previous rankings. 

University of Bristol welcomes students from around the world. Bristol is a vibrant, creative and exciting city. For more information about the University and being a student in the city visit https://visitbristol.co.uk/ and https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/.  

We are keen to support applicants from minority and under-represented backgrounds (based on protected characteristics) and those who have experienced other challenges or disadvantages. We encourage you to use your motivation letter to ensure we can take these factors into account. 

The candidate should work full-time on the project and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.  

Participation in the interdisciplinary training of the ENDOTRAIN network is mandatory, including workshops, retreats, transferable skills courses, and cohort-wide meetings across Europe. 

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with: 

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Medicine, Biomedicine, Physiology, Biotechnology, or a closely related field. We welcome applications from clinically trained individuals (possessing an MBChB or equivalent)
• A strong interest in endocrinology, physiology, and data analysis.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to work in a team.
• Prior experience with clinical research or data science is an advantage. 

• A 3-year full-time employment contract with covering tuition fees, training support, travel and secondments.
• A comprehensive training programme including workshops, schools, and international secondments. 

Applications will only be accepted through the Jobbnorge portal.

Applications without the mandatory attachments (application, CV, mobility declaration, motivation templates) will not be considered.

For questions about the project, please contact the primary supervisor Stafford Lightman (stafford.lightman@bristol.ac.uk).