University of Bradford

Creating knowledge through research

Study a research degree at the University of Bradford and join our mission to create new knowledge. You’ll work with academic experts to tackle major global challenges and help shape the future of your sector.

Our inspirational students and academics are at the cutting edge of research. Recent achievements include:

breakthrough development of a new blood test for cancer
the detection of a ‘super-henge’ – potentially the largest Neolithic monument built in Britain
investment in 21 research projects related to understanding and responding to COVID-19 and its impact

The Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) rated 73% of our research as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.

Facilities for students

The University is continuously investing in state-of-the-art facilities to enable you to get the most out of your time here, and to help you contribute to world-leading research. Our focus is to engage students in conversation, and there is no better place to do this than the Postgraduate Research Lounge.

The PGR Lounge is a space dedicated for research students (undertaking a PhD programme). If you’re doing a PhD, this Lounge is a place you can call your own, where you can socialise, work, and help each other grow intellectually by having inter-disciplinary conversations.

The PGR lounge supports collaborative work, sharing of ideas, exploring other disciplines, socialising and engaging with extracurricular activities.

Distance learning research degrees

Our new distance learning research degrees allow you to pursue your passion and discover new knowledge from anywhere in the world.

Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, we’re taking advantage of new, flexible methods of working and communicating to ensure students have consistent access to materials, resources and support networks.

As we move out of the pandemic, our distance learning options will continue to provide a practical alternative to campus-based study.

Our postgraduate themes

We harness technology for the good of society through our three overarching research themes. We welcome postgraduate research applications related to these themes.

Health and Care

Changing Lives

We’re pioneering new models of healthcare delivery, health promotion and technology-enabled treatment. Our researchers are developing the next generation of cancer drugs – a ‘smart bomb’ that has the potential to destroy solid tumours, made from a natural compound found in the crocus plant.

The Engineered Environment

Pioneering Technology

We apply cutting-edge technology and techniques to major global challenges, working alongside leading industry partners. We’re revolutionising facial recognition technology with Halo. This new system provides unprecedented identification accuracy, capturing quality images and biometric data with high-resolution cameras and software.

Sustainable Societies

Global Development

Our work addresses the big issues facing global society; conflict, poverty, development, climate change, resource security and terrorism. We’re developing new ways of thinking. Our innovative Foreign Direct Investment model has been adopted by the G20 group, helping forge successful partnerships between foreign enterprises and developing countries.

Find out more about studying at the University of Bradford

Break new ground by undertaking a research degree at the University of Bradford. You will join our community of pioneering researchers, pushing the boundaries of research for the benefit of all.

Visit institution website

Academic Units

Faculty of Engineering & Digital Technologies

Details

The Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies attracts students from around the world and carries out research funded by grant-awarding bodies in the UK and EU, often in partnership with industry. This has fostered a first-class, well-equipped research environment for the benefit of our postgraduate students. The Faculty maintains an impressive reputation for quality in research. From blue skies to fundamental and application oriented cutting edge research is carried out within the three Schools of the Faculty: Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Media, Design and Technology. Leading international academics and committed scholars work within the dedicated research groups and centres.

Project List:

(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amir Khan)
Acoustical Properties of Meta-Materials
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Cuong Dao)
Advanced Maintenance Management of Offshore Renewable Energy Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Vuong Mai)
Advanced Networking Techniques for Quantum Space-Aerial-Terrestrial Integrated Networks
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Vuong Mai)
Advancing Earth Observation with Artificial Intelligence
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nejat Rahmanian)
Advancing Hydrogen Flow Measurement: Thermophysical Properties and Advanced Thermodynamic Models
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Suleman Khan)
AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity for Smart Health Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Eduardo Munive Hernandez)
Analysing a Sustainable Business Model for a Circular Economy Environment applying the System Dynamics Modelling Technique
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Eduardo Munive Hernandez)
Analysing Strategies for Resilient Supply Chains with a Circular Economy Approach
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Vuong Mai)
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Free-Space Optics for Future Advanced Satellite Communications
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ibrahim Ghafir)
Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts for the Security of Internet of Things and Wireless Communications
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nejat Rahmanian)
Control of Granulation Process using Seeded Granulation
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Yakubu John)
Co-processing of renewable and fossil fuel feedstocks in conventional refinery units
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ibrahim Ghafir)
Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Blockchain Technology: Mitigating Cyber Attacks and Detecting Malicious Activities in Network Traffic
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Eduardo Munive Hernandez)
Developing effective strategies to implement Industry 4.0 technologies to support Net Zero initiative
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Xianghe Dai)
Development of light-weight demountable and reusable steel-concrete composite beam for construction in earthquake regions
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amir Khan)
Development of novel materials for acoustic, thermal and vibration applications
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Rami Qahwaji)
Early Detection of Eye Diseases using Visual Computing and AI technologies
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amna Qureshi)
Enhancing Detection and Prevention of Malvertising in Web Browsers
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amna Qureshi)
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Deepfake Detection Techniques
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nejat Rahmanian)
Evaluation of properties of wood pellets for Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage Application
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Suleman Khan)
Fortified Operations: AI-Based Predictive Maintenance with Enhanced Cybersecurity
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amna Qureshi)
Generation of a Privacy-Conscious Dataset for Detecting Suicidal Ideation and Depression in Social Media Content Using Machine Learning
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Ashraf Ashour)
Geopolymer reinforced concrete structural elements
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nejat Rahmanian)
Impact of Impurities on Hydrate Phase Equilibria of CO2-rich Systems for Carbon Capture and Transportation Applications
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jaan Pu)
Impact of Sediment Transport and Vegetation to the Reservoir Hydrodynamics within Fluvial Environment
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Savas Konur)
Intelligent Big Data Analytics for Industry 4.0 Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Vuong Mai)
Intelligent Techniques for Reliability Prediction and Improvement of Free-Space Optics-based Future Satellite Communication Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Raluca-Elena Lefticaru)
Machine Learning Testing
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Iqbal Mujtaba)
Optimisation of Batch Reactive Distillation Process
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Xianghe Dai)
Research on structural behaviour of composite columns using stainless-steel tube and sustainable concrete
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Ciprian Daniel Neagu)
Responsible AI and Digital Twins for Sustainable Biodiversity Net Gain
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Ciprian Daniel Neagu)
Responsible AI and Digital Twins for Sustainable Heritage
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Ciprian Daniel Neagu)
Responsible AI for Health and Social Care and Wellbeing
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Iqbal Mujtaba)
Simulation and optimisation of reverse osmosis desalination process with renewable energy
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Yakubu John)
Simulation, optimization and control of fluid catalytic cracking unit for CO2 minimization
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Cuong Dao)
Smart Integration and Planning of Renewable Energy Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nejat Rahmanian)
Towards sustainable desalination by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Savas Konur)
Trustworthy Intelligent Network Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Rami Qahwaji)
Visual Computing and AI technologies for Processing Satellite/Space Images
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Iqbal Mujtaba)
Waste to Energy and Renewable Energies – Design of Hybrid Energy Systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jaan Pu)
Water Engineering: Complex Natural River Flow Modelling and Flood Analysis
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Iqbal Mujtaba)
Water Management-Desalination and Wastewater Treatment

Faculty of Health Studies

Details

We focus on research themes that have a direct impact on the quality of care.
Our research is locally and internationally significant, undertaken in collaboration with NHS and other partners.
Our REF 2014 (Research Excellence Framework) results were outstanding:
92% of our research classified as world leading or internationally excellent
In terms of impact, 100% of our research was judged as world leading or internationally excellent

Project List:

(PhD Supervisor: Dr Rob Brooks)
Developing the Concept and Application of Occupational Formulation
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman Jabin)
Reviewing and optimising the use of electronic prescribing systems to improve medicine safety in integrated care systems
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman Jabin)
Reviewing and refining the safe use of health information technology systems to improve patient safety in healthcare
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ana Barbosa)
What does it feel like to live with Posterior Cortical Atrophy dementia?

Faculty of Life Sciences

Details

We are the largest faculty in the University and comprise of four Schools and their associated research and knowledge exchange centres.
We are fully engaged in cutting-edge research and seek to apply the knowledge we generate through our extensive links with industry, business and the professions. The majority of our courses are accredited by external bodies and lead to rewarding and highly-regarded careers. Our students experience innovative approaches to teaching and learning in modern and well equipped laboratories and have access to some of the most advanced technology-enhanced learning opportunities in the country.
Our students also benefit from working "on placement" in laboratories, clinics, industrial facilities and archaeological excavations. As well as being excellent and committed teachers, the majority of our academic staff are also active researchers and/or practitioners so our students experience the excitement surrounding new discoveries, and their application, and are aware of the latest developments long before they appear in textbooks.

Project List:

(PhD Supervisor: Dr Steven Shnyder)
A bifunctional prodrug to overcome acquired oxaliplatin drug resistance in colorectal cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sriharsha Kantamneni)
Acquired brain damage as a result of neuronal and glial cell death due to ischemic stroke and reperfusion
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ethan Perkins)
Advanced In Vitro Cancer Modelling for High-Throughput Anti-Cancer Prodrug Evaluation
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Vincent Gaffney)
Al and Behavioral Modelling
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Philip Drake)
Analysis of Magnetically Susceptible Nanoparticles via confocal and fluorescence spectroscopy
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Munir Hussain)
Beat-to-beat modulation of Calcium-induced Calcium release in cardiac muscle
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jurgen Muller)
Cellular signalling mechanisms in iPSC-derived cardiovascular cells
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Munir Hussain)
Characterisation of adrenoceptor and muscarinic receptor subtypes coupled to potassium channels in chondrocytes from bovine cartilage
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Vincent Gaffney)
Comparative studies of Flevoland
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Vibhu Jha)
Computational and machine learning driven development of new polysialyltransferase (ST8SiaII) inhibitors against metastatic cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stephen Hickey)
Core and core-shell nanomaterials synthesis for Optoelectronics
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Klaus Pors)
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel antibody-directed conjugates for cancer treatment
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Rob Falconer)
Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel polysialyltransferase inhibitors as anti- metastatic agents
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Rob Falconer)
Design, synthesis and evaluation of protease-activated anti-cancer prodrugs
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Raj Gopalan)
Determination of therapeutic potential of different formulations of curcumin as an effective treatment option for pulmonary hypertension
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stuart Dickens)
Development and characterisation of cortical organoid model for drug discovery to treat cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Steven Shnyder)
Development of Naked Mole Rat Colonic Crypt Models to Use in the Search for Bowel Disease Preventatives
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Colin Seaton)
Directed Co-Crystallisation of Pharmaceuticals: developing a predictive method for co-crystallisation
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sriharsha Kantamneni)
Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT): Investigation of the expression and functional roles of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases and modulation by small molecules
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Steven Shnyder)
Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT): Investigation of the role in acquired drug resistance in colon cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jurgen Muller)
ERK5 MAPK signalling in Alzheimer’s disease
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ibrahim Khot)
Evaluating Photodynamic Therapy in colorectal cancer using patient-derived organoids
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sriharsha Kantamneni)
Evaluating the ESCRT pathway for therapeutic development in motor neurone disease
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Munir Hussain)
Evaluation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes for cardiotoxicity testing
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sneha Swaroop)
Exploring chemoprevention: Investigating the impact of novel Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on breast cells and onset of tumours using a Body-on-a-chip model
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sneha Swaroop)
Exploring the role of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in stem cells of serous ovarian cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Krzysztof Paluch)
Formulation and biopharmaceutical characterisation of novel pro-antibiotics for improved oral permeability
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Krzysztof Paluch)
Formulation of heterogenous solid dispersions produced by spray drying and hot-melt extrusion for improved delivery of amorphous drugs
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Krzysztof Poterlowicz)
Integrated omics approach to psychiatric disorders
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Helen Sheldrake)
Investigation of antagonism of multiple RGD-binding integrins as a therapeutic strategy in advanced head and neck cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Giulia Grimaldi)
Investigation of novel PARP7-targeting agents for the treatment of cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stuart Dickens)
Investigation of the extracellular matrix as a regulator of Parkinson’s progression
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Steven Shnyder)
Is self-medication effective for Long Covid and how does it vary across society?
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jurgen Muller)
MAPK signalling pathways regulating the blood brain barrier
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Munir Hussain)
Mechanisms underlying the effects of activated protein C (APC) in cardiac muscle
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Munir Hussain)
Molecular mechanisms of pacemaker (sinus node) dysfunction in ageing, heart failure and athletes
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stephen Hickey)
Nanomaterials as White Light Emitters for Low Cost Lighting
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Philip Drake)
Nanoparticle synthesis and application in magnetic field hyperthermia for cancer therapy
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stuart Dickens)
Neuronal control of appetite: investigating the role of the extracellular matrix in controlling neuronal activity in the hypothalamus
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Goreti Ribeiro Morais)
Novel targeted chemotherapeutics for brain tumours
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stephen Hickey)
Oxidic Nanomaterials for High Density Storage in Li-ion Batteries
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Muhammad Wahajuddin)
Pharmacokinetics Guided Natural Products Exploration for Drug Discovery, Development, Delivery and Therapy
(PhD Supervisor: Prof Rob Falconer)
Polysialyltransferases as a target in metastatic cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Huw Jones)
Profiling drug metabolism activities in cancer models to identify metabolic activators of prodrugs and guide model system selection in anticancer (pro)drug discovery
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Colin Seaton)
Rational Control of Crystal Morphology
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Talat Nasim)
Re-purposing established drugs for the resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Anna Wu)
Synthesis of anticancer alkaloids
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Anna Wu)
Synthesis of small organic fluorescent molecules
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Helen Sheldrake)
Synthesis, physicochemical and biological characterisation of novel small molecule anti-integrin prodrugs.
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jurgen Muller)
Targeting the MAPK scaffold protein KSR1 for the treatment of prostate cancer
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Talat Nasim)
Therapeutic resolution of BMPR2-mediated signalling defects in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Talat Nasim)
Therapeutic resolution of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) by natural products
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Talat Nasim)
Therapeutic resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by natural products
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Huw Jones)
Understanding how polyphenols modulate blood pressure
(PhD Supervisor: Dr Mojgan Najafzadeh)
Utilising an innovative anticancer formulation alongside a low-level laser (Red and Blue) tailored to specific modifications to promote anticancer effects and expedite the repair of damaged cells.

Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences

Details

The Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences has been working at the cutting edge of research for more than 40 years, attracting leading international academics and committed scholars to work within dedicated research groups.
The School’s research centres provide a wide range of services for international organisations, national governments, local authorities and non-governmental organisations. Our research environment is vibrant, committed, cross disciplinary and outward-looking.
With a highly professional ethos but a welcoming atmosphere, the Faculty continues to build on its reputation for excellence.