London Interdisciplinary Biosciences Consortium (LIDo)

The London Interdisciplinary Biosciences Consortium (LIDo) is one of the largest BBSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnerships in the UK.

LIDo is exciting collaboration between UCL, Kings College London, Queen Mary, Birkbeck, Royal Veterinary College and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, six of London’s world-class universities and specialist institutions. This unique consortium provides students with a remarkable opportunity to pursue innovative interdisciplinary research projects in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

In the first year of the programme students will undertake two 4-month research projects in different partner institutions, selecting from a catalogue of over 100 topics, each associated with a thesis project. The choice of PhD topic is finalised after the second rotation project when students will be well placed to make an informed, considered, decision.

Research opportunities are available in a wide range of areas including Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Development, Physiology, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Parasitology Genetics, Ageing and Evolution. Examples of some of the projects available can be found on our website.

All students will also receive advanced training in fundamental and advanced mathematical, computational, and statistical skills for interdisciplinary and systems biology research. Informed by their background and intended career direction, students will also take a course in either the principles of biology or bio-business.

All DTP students undertake a compulsory 3-month Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS) during their PhD. This placement provides experience of the wider economic and social contexts and careers within which the research and transferable skills developed during their PhD programme can be usefully employed. Current students have secured a diverse range of placements at institutions, both in the UK and overseas, including learned societies, museums, biotech companies, and science communication and policy organisations.

Supporting our extraordinary teaching and research-intensive environment is a framework of robust cohort building activities, culminating each year in the student academic retreat. This popular residential event is designed and planned by students, for students.

We are currently recruiting for 30 fully funded studentship places to start in September 2017; this includes home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend in the region of £16,296. Students from the EU are welcome to submit an application for funded places, and offers will be made subject to BBSRC approval.

We invite applications from highly motivated students with a wide range of academic backgrounds including biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, or mathematics. Applicants must hold, or be expected to achieve, a first or high upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), or an MSci or other Masters degree.

The application pack can be download from our website.

The application window will close on 20th January 2017 and early application is strongly advised.