Hull York Medical School launches Freeman PhD Fellowship in Endocrinology

A new PhD Fellowship at Hull York Medical School will provide aspiring researchers from Yorkshire and the Humber the opportunity to undertake postgraduate research in the field of endocrinology. The Freeman PhD Fellowship in Endocrinology will provide fully-funded PhD studentships across a range of topics, one per year over the next five years.

The Fellowship has been made possible thanks to the support of the Freeman 1st Foundation – a charity which aims to empower talented young people, resident in Yorkshire and Humber, in order to fulfil their potential.

Chairperson Lesley Jackson says: "We have created the Fellowship because the trustees feel very strongly that it will not only enable individual students to take part in world class research, but it will also help many more people who will benefit from the results of that research. It is the best possible use of the charity’s funds."

Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Professor of Endocrinology at Hull York Medical School and Honorary Consultant Physician at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, says: "Research is a key component of healthcare. It allows us to better understand conditions and their impact on patients and provide evidence-based treatment to cure conditions or help patients manage their conditions more effectively. Endocrinology is the study of hormones. Hormones are essential to our everyday survival; they regulate our metabolism, control our temperature, mood, sleep, and growth. And hormone imbalances are the underlying cause of lots of medical conditions.

"The Freeman PhD Fellowship in endocrinology will enable us to increase our understanding of the impact of hormone imbalances on patients and develop treatments or guidance to help patients manage their conditions. It will also help us to support and train the next generation of health researchers."

Hull York Medical School offers a thriving environment in which to conduct world-leading research. Its unique partnership brings together the expertise of both the Universities of Hull and York and offers strong partnerships with NHS Trusts and community health organisations which in turn offers a wide clinical base within which to study those conditions which most affect our communities – improving their health while developing research work that can be applied nationally and globally.

In partnership with the University of Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Medical School is at the cutting edge of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research. The School’s clinical and academic researchers are based in the Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism unit, Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. They have expertise in diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic diseases and various hormonal illnesses. They deliver world-class research and innovation focusing on four areas: clinical drugs/devices trials, epidemiological research, lifestyle research and applied research. They also specialise in type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic bone health, cardiometabolic disease, and dietetics and nutrition research.

In 2022, the team was awarded the prestigious title of Best Patient Experience at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network awards for Yorkshire and Humber.

Professor Una Macleod, Dean of Hull York Medical School says: "We would like to thank the Freeman 1st Foundation for their generosity. Their support, together with our partnership with Hull University teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will enable us to work with patients to further our understanding of tthe impact of disease on their daily lives and develop treatment options and cures for those conditions as well as supporting those living with them."

Professor Dave Richards, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, the University of Hull says: "Our aim at the University of Hull is to undertake research which makes a real and lasting difference to individuals. Working in partnership with NHS Trusts and with industry is key to us achieving that aim. This scholarship is a great example of local business giving back to the community by investing in research for the benefit of people here in this region and further afield."

Applications are invited for the first Freeman PhD Fellowship in Endocrinology - 3-year fully funded PhD studentship which will commence on 1st July 2023 and which aims to assess the effect of non-pharmacological interventions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

We are keen to hear from individuals local to Yorkshire and Humber, who are within three years of completing a degree and who have a talent for research that could be developed into a successful career. The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant/stipend for three years (full time), which covers the research period of the PhD. The fee waiver for 22/23 is £4,596 and the maintenance grant is £17,668 per annum.

For informal enquiries please contact Prof Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Professor of Endocrinology and Honorary Consultant Physician via email at thozhukat.sathyapalan@hyms.ac.uk. For further details, including eligibility, qualifications, and how to apply visit The Effect of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at University of Hull on FindAPhD.com. The deadline for applications is 1 May 2023.