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We have 1,034 Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 1,034 Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

The realm of Biological Sciences is a testament to the endless curiosity and quest for understanding that defines human engagement with the natural world. Embarking on a PhD in Biological Sciences propels students into the epicentre of cutting-edge research, unravelling the complexities of life on a molecular, cellular, and ecological level.

These advanced programmes provide the platform for deep, specialised investigation into the various facets of biology, from genomics and proteomics to ecology and evolution. Candidates are given the unique opportunity to contribute to the scientific community's understanding of life processes, diseases, and the interrelations between living organisms and their environments through innovative and impactful research.

Why complete a PhD in Biological Sciences?

A PhD in Biological Sciences is synonymous with the pursuit of pioneering discoveries that have the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the natural world and address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, including climate change, disease control, and biodiversity loss.

Doctoral research in this field is characterised by its depth, rigor, and innovation, allowing students to delve into uncharted territories of the biological sciences. Through this exploration, PhD students not only push the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also develop a suite of technical and analytical skills that are highly valued across multiple sectors. Their work contributes to the development of new technologies, therapies, and conservation strategies, reflecting the critical role of biological research in improving human health, preserving ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable development.

In terms of employment, a PhD in Biological Sciences opens up a wide range of career opportunities both within and outside academia. Graduates are well-equipped for roles in research and development within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as positions in conservation, environmental management, and policy-making.

The ability to conduct independent research, analyse complex data sets, and communicate scientific findings effectively prepares PhD holders for leadership roles in these fields. Those passionate about academia have the opportunity to contribute to the education and mentorship of future generations of scientists, fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation.

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Great North Sleep research: a mixed methods study to explore the safe and effective use of medicines to improve sleep health

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of human health, underpinning physical wellbeing, cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and long-term disease prevention. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr A Rathbone
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Exploring Innovative Approaches in Chronic Pain: Focus on Neuropathic pain and Spinal Cord Stimulation

Pain can be a debilitating long-term and persistent symptom in many medical conditions, adversely affecting quality of life. Neuropathic pain originates from nervous system damage, resulting in deficits in neural transmission leading to sensory, autonomic, and motor impairment. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr I Obara
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Advancing therapeutic options in surgical site infections and wound care: Engineering multi-drug eluting medical devices

Background. Despite improvements in aseptic procedures and antimicrobial prophylaxis, surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to be a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality globally. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr GM Khalid
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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(SATURN CDT) Genomic and metatranscriptomic approaches to understand and control microbial communities in nuclear facilities

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT. UoM_Nuclear. The Sellafield site contains several Spent Nuclear Fuel Ponds (SNFPs) that store some of the UK’s legacy nuclear waste. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr L Foster, Prof J Lloyd, Dr J Pittman, Prof K Morris
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
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Developing a non-coding RNA predictive biomarker in bladder cancer

Muscle invasive bladder cancer can be classified into gene expression subtypes that can help guide chemo- and immunotherapy choices. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr J Griffin, Dr D Bose, Dr I Sudbery
 17 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Full-time PhD studentship (Chain & Yong Group)

We are looking for a PhD student with strong computational skills interested in interdisciplinary research at the boundary between immunology, cancer and computer science. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof B Chain, Prof K Yong
 12 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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The innate immune response to respiratory viral infection in diabetes: is glucose control the key?

Key words. Human monocytes, infectious disease, type 1 diabetes, innate immunity, viral infection, glucose control. Overview. We are looking for a doctoral student to investigate the innate immune response to common respiratory viruses in people living with type 1 diabetes. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr MDV Dominguez-Villar, Prof N Oliver
 15 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Aquatic to agronomic: making progress towards mechanistic functional understanding of algal biostimulants for agriculture

With a growing human population, there is increasing demand for high-quality, high-volume food production, which has led to increasing environmental pressure. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr M Ross
 10 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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“PhD opportunities on the conservation biology and genetics of threatened diadromous species in reconnected rivers”

Habitat, fragmentation is a major source of biodiversity loss in freshwaters, with rivers around the world fragmented by dams and weirs. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr R Britton
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Understanding the evolution of structural variation of the drug metabolising gene CYP2D6

  Research Group: Genetics
The way our bodies process medicines is not uniform across individuals, and a significant part of that variation is written into our DNA. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof E Hollox, Dr FF Freund
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Understanding the role of SNHG32 as a regulator of adaptive resistance in lymphoid cancers

This project tackles a major challenge in lymphoma treatment. adaptive drug resistance. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr J Slupsky, Dr A Kanhere, Dr N Kalakonda, Dr M Glenn
 31 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Using in situ structural biology to resolve immune cell interactions at the nanoscale

The immune system's ability to eliminate infected or cancerous cells depends on precisely orchestrated cell-cell interactions. Defining these interactions at the molecular level is fundamental to understand the immune response and to drive development of the next generation of immunotherapies. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr E Foster, Prof M Peckham
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Magnetic Nanobots for Targeted Cancer Therapy

This PhD research focuses on developing magnetic nanobots for targeted cancer therapy. By harnessing externally controlled magnetic fields, these nanoscale devices can navigate to tumour sites, enabling precise drug delivery while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr J Hanson, Prof R D'Sa
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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PhD Studentship in Medicinal Chemistry - Hydrophobic warheads to expand covalent drug discovery

Award summary. 100% fees covered (Home), and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate). Overview. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr HS Stewart
 9 July 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Regulation of cardiac function by palmitoylation

About the Project. Heart failure is a global disease burden that affects >26 million people worldwide (>1million in the UK alone). Read more
 Supervisors: Dr CG Gok, Prof C Hills, Prof P Squires
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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