biology cell PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

King’s College London Health Schools

Investigate cytoskeletal networks controlling cancer cell migration at the systems level.

Cell migration is fundamental for the existence of multicellular animals, including humans, as certain cells migrate throughout the embryo to form specific tissues. Read more

Supervisors: Dr M Krause, Dr C Venkataraman

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

What is the interrelationship between cell mitosis and cell polarity during apical-basal polarisation of epithelial organs?

My group strives to uncover how mechanics and biochemical signalling work together to shape epithelial organs during development. Read more

Supervisors: Dr C.B Buckley, Dr S Woolner

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Liverpool Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology

Creation of cell lines modelling complex karyotype in B cell lymphomas using CRISPR/Cas9

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) make up more than half of all the newly diagnosed cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), the 6th most common cancer in the UK. Read more

Supervisors: Dr J Slupsky, Dr N Kalakonda, Dr M Glenn

1 May 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

King’s College London Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics

Gene regulation in cancer metastasis

A PhD project studying gene regulation in cancer metastasis is available in the laboratory of Dr. Fiona Wardle (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/wardle-group) in the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London. Read more

Supervisors: Dr F Wardle, Prof C Wells

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Leicester Department of Chemistry

Evaluating the impact of genotoxic aldehyde stress in premature ageing

Aldehydes are highly reactive chemicals that are common pollutants and human metabolites. However, the vast majority of aldehydes’ biological functions are unknown. Read more

Supervisors: Dr R Hopkinson, Dr K Tanaka

23 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Bradford Faculty of Life Sciences

Investigation of antagonism of multiple RGD-binding integrins as a therapeutic strategy in advanced head and neck cancer

Research Group: Institute of Cancer Therapeutics

Background. The integrins are a family of transmembrane receptors which mediate cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion, and signalling across the cell membrane involved in pathways controlling cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis. Read more

Supervisor: Dr H Sheldrake

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Structural-guided PROTAC targeting of BMX to modulate apoptotic sensitivity in disease

Supervisors: Dr JF Fox, Dr JH Hodgkinson

What determines at the molecular level whether a cell lives or dies? Regulation of the cellular life–death switch is essential in healthy cells for normal foetal development and for the clearance of damaged cells. Read more

23 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Liverpool Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences

Determining metabolic reprogramming events in stem cells in response to inflammatory disease phenotype

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are responsible for the repair of damaged tissue following injury and disease as well as moderating innate and adaptive immune responses and regulation of self-tolerance and tissue homeostasis. Read more

Supervisors: Dr R Oldershaw, Dr A Chadwick, Dr M Phelan, Dr BN Norman

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Self funded MSc by Research or PhD in Biology: Ion channel signalling in cancer cells

Supervisor: Dr W Brackenbury

Lead supervisor: Dr W Brackenbury. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Our cells constantly sense and transport ions present in their environment. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) ZIK plasmatis

Last chance to apply

PhD position in cell biology and inflammation in plasma-treated diseased keratinocytes

Short overview of PlasmACT. The PlasmACT network brings together 5 beneficiaries and 10 associated partners, located in 5 different countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg). Read more

Supervisor: Prof SB Bekeschus

30 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Epigenetics of early human development: From molecular mechanisms to regenerative medicine

Supervisors: Dr Y Markaki, Prof J Schwabe, Dr JH Hodgkinson

The 46th chromosome in XX female mammals, the second X, has to be switched off. That way females equalize gene dosage of X-linked genes with XY males. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Leeds Faculty of Medicine and Health

Cancer: Inhibiting cell metabolism to enhance tumour cell death

All the cells in our bodies are programmed to die. As they get older, our cells accumulate toxic molecules that make them sick. In response, they eventually break down and die, clearing the way for new, healthy cells to grow. Read more

Supervisors: Dr S Papa, Dr R Tooze

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cancer biology: identification of new treatment options for EML4-ALK driven lung cancer through understanding mechanisms of cell division and migration.

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Lung cancer is the largest cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK and worldwide. While little progress has been made in long-term survival rates, we now have a good understanding of the genetic drivers raising the prospect of earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Read more

Supervisor: Prof A Fry

University College London MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology

4 Year PhD Programme in Molecular Cell Biology

Applications are invited for places on the PhD Programme in Molecular Cell Biology at the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology (LMCB), UCL. Read more

Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide) 4 Year PhD Programme

Structural and functional analysis of the protein complexes which regulate cell fate decisions to identify novel cancer therapies

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Whether a cell dies or not has profound consequences on health and disease. In healthy tissue, cells that acquire high levels of genetic damage are safely removed via a process of programmed cell death. Read more

Supervisor: Dr JF Fox

Self funded PhD in Biology: Structure and function of CIZ1

Supervisors: Prof D Coverley, Prof F Antson

Lead supervisor: Prof Dawn Coverley. Co-supervisors: Prof Fred Antson. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Deciphering the cell death-dependent fibrotic niche following lung injury

Research Group: Centre for Inflammation Research

Background. Lung disease causes 1 in 5 deaths globally with limited treatment advances for many acute and chronic respiratory conditions. Read more

Supervisors: Dr C Lucas, Dr DD Dorward, Dr P Ramachandran

13 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Imperial College London Department of Chemical Engineering

PhD Studentship in Artificial Cell Engineering and Bioinspired Technologies

PhD Studentships in Artificial Cell Engineering and Bioinspired Technologies. The Elani Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London welcomes applications for a PhD studentship to conduct work in the area of Artificial Cell Engineering and Bioinspired Technologies. Read more

Supervisor: Dr Y Elani

Year round applications PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust BRC Translational Research (Non-Clinical) PhD Studentships

Optogenetic sculpting of next-generation organoids for disease modelling of congenital malformations including spina bifida

The ability to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from adult cell types has revolutionised regenerative medicine research. Read more

Supervisors: Dr G Galea, Prof J Sowden

15 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Mapping CD4+ T cell fate decisions and functional coordination within tissues during infection

CD4+ T cells are essential components of the immune system, orchestrating protection against infection. Read more

Supervisors: Dr K Couper, Prof DD Dyer

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine

Using human pluripotent stem cell-based models to study glia-associated biology in neurological diseases

Affiliation. Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine. Study program. Ph.D. program Biomedical Sciences. Specialization. Cell and Tissue Morphology. Read more

Supervisor: Dr DB Bohačiaková

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Dundee School of Life Sciences

MSc by Research: Investigation of coordination of cell divisions during early embryonic development

Gastrulation is an essential process in early development, during which the forming ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm take up their correct positions in the embryo. Read more

Supervisor: Prof C J Weijer

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Durham University Department of Biosciences

Engineering human tissue in vitro: development, characterisation, and application

Tissues in the human body have a defined structure in that their growth and differentiation have developed in specific ways to create a cellular architecture… Read more

Supervisor: Prof S Przyborski

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide) Masters by Research

Tissue Regeneration and Cancer MSc Research Programme

University of Glasgow

The Tissue Regeneration and Cancer MSc Research Programme at the University of Glasgow, will deliver high quality research, training and mentorship to excellent and ambitious students interested in cancer research, including- but not limited to- its intersection with stem cell biology, immunity, metabolism, development, regenerative biology, and behavioural science. Read more

Self funded MSc by research or PhD in Biology: Membraneless biomelecular condensates, a major regulator of trypanosome parasites differentiation and host adaptation

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Lead supervisor: Dr Mathieu Cayla. Co-Supervisor. Dr Pegine Walrad. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Cayla

Self funded MSc by research or PhD in Biology: Investigating chromosome segregation in thermophilic Archaea

Supervisor: Prof D Barilla

Lead supervisor: Prof D Barilla. Co-Supervisor: Prof G Thomas. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Liverpool Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology

Biological pathways supporting the formation and function of chromatin (Scholarship)

Every cell in our body contains the same DNA yet each cell expresses a different set of genes. These changes in gene expression are heavily influenced by histone proteins, their role in packaging DNA into chromatin and the “epigenetic” information they carry. Read more

Supervisor: Dr CM Hammond

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Understanding centrosome assembly in healthy and cancerous tissue with imaging

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This is an opportunity for a scientist to join the lab of Dr Robert Mahen in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of Leicester. Read more

Supervisor: Dr R Mahen

University of Dundee School of Life Sciences

MSc by Research: Using genome editing to study the mechanisms of immune cell proliferation and differentiation

T lymphocytes mediate long-term adaptive immunity to viruses and tumour cells. T lymphocytes recognize foreign antigens via specific interactions with the T cell receptor (TCR) that is expressed on the cell surface. Read more

Supervisor: Dr T Ly

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only