PhD Studentship - Uncovering bruises and cysts to diagnose osteoarthritis

RVC Supervisor(s): Professor Richard Meeson, Professor Andrew Pitsillides

Non-RVC Supervisor: Dr Gareth Jones (University of Bristol)

Department: Clinical Science and Services & Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Project Summary:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and disability, yet early diagnosis remains difficult. Features such as bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) may hold the key to early detection — but their development and significance are still poorly understood. Following on from our recently published work on uCT bone structural re-alignment in dog osteoarthritis, (in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Journal), this project will further elucidate the mechanisms and develop new diagnostics for osteoarthritis.  

A unique translational model

This project uses a natural disease model in dogs to provide access to samples rarely available in human research. Canine OA closely mirrors human OA in ageing, lifestyle, and comorbidities, offering a powerful platform for discovering early markers of disease. The RVC holds a unique collection of OA and healthy canine femoral heads, enabling whole-bone 3D microCT scanning at resolutions difficult to achieve in human samples.

Project focus

You will:

  • Characterise BMLs and SBCs using advanced imaging
  • Explore how these features relate to OA severity 
  • Investigate bone–cartilage interactions that drive disease progression

Training and environment

Based in the internationally recognised Skeletal Biology Group at the RVC Camden campus and collaborating with the world leading veterinary clinical facilities and clinicians, you will gain a unique translational medical experience, and research training in:

  • microCT, CT and MRI imaging
  • Computational image analysis
  • Histopathology and complementary wet-lab techniques

This studentship is ideal for candidates from life sciences, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, or related fields —a veterinary background is not a requirement.

References

  1.  Jones GMC, Mosey H, Hopkinson M, Pitsillides AA, Meeson RL. Whole bone µCT 3-dimensional mapping reveals new early imaging biomarkers of Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2026 Feb 23:S1063-4584(26)00678-3. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2026.02.008. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41740649

  2. Takeuchi, M., Goto, T., Hamada, D., Egawa, H., & Sairyo, K. (2014). Bone marrow lesions and subchondral cysts develop in the same area of femoral heads on mr imaging of hip dysplasia population. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 22(2014), S279–S280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2014.02.520

  3. Crema, M. D., Roemer, F. W., Zhu, Y., Marra, M. D., Niu, J., Zhang, Y., Lynch, J. A., Javaid, M. K., Lewis, C. E., El-Khoury, G. Y., Felson, D. T., & Guermazi, A. (2010). Subchondral cystlike lesions develop longitudinally in areas of bone marrow edema-like lesions in patients with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis: Detection with MR imaging - The MOST study. Radiology, 256(3), 855–862. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.10091467

  4. Xu, L., Hayashi, D., Roemer, F. W., Felson, D. T., & Guermazi, A. (2012). Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Subchondral Bone Marrow Lesions in Association with Osteoarthritis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 42(2), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.03.00

Requirements

Essential:

  • Interest in Skeletal Biology

Desirable:

  • Veterinary background or animal science
  • Computer technical background
  • Histology

Fees and Funding

This is a 3-year fully-funded studentship. This funding covers 'Home' rate tuition fees and a stipend. 

The studentship will commence in October 2026 at the RVC's Camden campus, with some time spent at our Hawkshead Campus.

This studentship is open to applicants eligible for "Home" fees. International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees. 

EU/EEA and Swiss national students starting studies in the 2021/22 academic year or later academic years may no longer be eligible to pay the “home” rate of tuition fees nor claim any financial support for their studies dependent on your personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK). To help determine whether you would be eligible for home fees please see the UKCISA's 'Who pays 'home' fees for higher education in England?' guide found here.

If you are interested in applying for this PhD project, please follow the link below. Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any previous skills or experience you have in using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

How to Apply

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.

The deadline to submit your application is Sunday 19th April 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place early May.

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Prof Richard Meeson: rmeeson@rvc.ac.uk

Deadline: 19/04/2026

Top of page