PhD Studentship 2009-2010 University of Cambridge

PhD Studentship, University of Cambridge: History of the Placenta
since 1750

Supervisors: Martin H. Johnson and Nick Hopwood

The Centre for Trophoblast Research at the University of Cambridge
aims to fund up to three PhD studentships at Wellcome Trust rates
starting in October 2009 for three years of full-time research
http://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/info/studentships.shtml. We are
offering a project on the history of the placenta.

The placenta has a rich and important past that has yet to attract
sustained historical attention. Possible projects could focus on such
various aspects as anatomy, physiology and evolution, pathological
examination and legal regulation, midwifery, obstetric and lay
practices, and claims as to the placenta's special powers. There is
wide scope to choose a topic of interest in a period since 1750 and
with an appropriate geographical location.

Supervision will be provided by Martin H. Johnson (Physiology,
Development and Neuroscience) and Nick Hopwood (History and
Philosophy of Science). The project will benefit from participation
in the University's programme of historical research on generation
and reproduction and specifically on embryology.

Interested students (UK, EU or overseas) should have at least a high
upper second (or equivalent) in a first degree, preferably in the
biological sciences, and ideally also a strong performance in a
master's in history of science and/or medicine. We invite initial
expressions of interest, including a CV and sample of written work,
by 10 December 2008 for a Centre deadline of 9 January and interview
on 28 January 2009.

Martin Johnson mhj21@cam.ac.uk
http://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/staff/johnson/index.html

Nick Hopwood ndh12@cam.ac.uk
http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/dept/hopwood.html