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The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research. We are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, consistently placed among the top 50 leading universities in the world*, and ranked 16th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
Quality teaching and research
We are one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 83% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
Research conducted here led to the discovery of chloroform anaesthesia, the Higgs boson particle and in-vitro fertilisation. Our academics, students and alumni discovered carbon dioxide, led the Scottish Enlightenment laying the foundations of contemporary thought, developed a genetically engineered vaccine against Hepatitis B, and Dolly the sheep – the first mammal to be genetically cloned from an adult somatic cell.
We are associated with 19 Nobel Prize winners, who are alumni of the University of have been members of academic staff here and have long enjoyed a spirit of innovation and collaboration and continue to do so today. We are proudly open to everyone, bringing people with new outlooks and perspectives together in an international community that is establishing the data capital of Europe, tackling climate change and paving the way for new fertility treatments. Our scientists are seeking cures for cancer, repurposing drugs to improve treatments for the Covid-19 Coronavirus and contributing to the global search for a vaccine.
Joining the University as a student provides you with a unique opportunity to work with some of the most influential academics in your chosen field. At Edinburgh, you will develop your specialist skills, deepen your understanding and gain new insights and perspectives to equip you for your career ahead.
The Edinburgh experience
The University of Edinburgh is one of the largest and most diverse universities in the UK. We host more than 40,000 students from some 156 countries studying across more than 150 academic disciplines. All our postgraduates benefit from our inspiring research culture.
The academics involved in your teaching and learning are leaders in their field, and the University is dedicated to delivering high quality, innovative teaching. Your study will be enhanced by a wealth of resources and opportunities including:
- 10 Libraries, including the third largest academic library in Europe, open 24/7
- World-leading analytical facilities including the FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility for simulating wave and tidal current interactions
- Europe’s foremost Clinical Imaging Research Facility
- The world-leading Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine
- One of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals
- The University’s Centre for Research Collections, one of the most important resources of its kind in the world
Global Connections
Our ambitious internationalisation strategy aims to provide world-class experiences for students and ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits.
We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21, and the European networks COIMBRA group, as well as UNICA, LERU, and UNA Europa. Our students are crucial to our continued success and development and, along with our staff, they forge research links through regular travel and overseas exchanges. We take pride in our partnerships with other institutions such as the California Institute of Technology, University of Copenhagen, University College Dublin, the University of Melbourne, Peking University, the University of Delhi and Zhejiang University– to name but a few.
Employability
We are ranked in the UK’s top 10 universities and in the world’s top 100 universities for the employability of our graduates.**
Our Careers Service are dedicated to developing our already strong links with employers from all sectors.
We were one of the first UK universities to develop commercial links with industry, government and the professions, and our commercialisation office, Edinburgh Innovations, has helped launch over 500 companies since 1967.
* Times Higher Education World Rankings
** Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2019
Academic Units
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jing Qiu)Investigating the influence of antioxidant signalling on blood brain barrier integrity
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof N Morton)The British Heart Foundation 4-year PhD programme in Cardiovascular Science.
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at The University of Edinburgh is an international leader in basic-to-clinical translational research. Our approach ranges from molecules to man, from bench to bedside, and from process to population. Our interdisciplinary groups, centres and institutes bring together basic and clinical academic staff in broad, thematic research concentrations encompassing basic sciences, translational and clinical research. Research within the College explicitly links biomedicine and veterinary medicine, in promotion of the concept 'One Medicine'.
Our research centres are clustered within contemporary research Institutes, located next to hospitals on three major translational research campuses. Whether working at one of our two major human medical campuses or at our veterinary campus, research students benefit from our 'lab bench to bedside' approach, whereby patients are seen in the same location as the fundamental research that's taking place. This results in strengthened collaboration between basic scientists and clinician scientists.
In the College’s submissions to the Research Excellence Framework 2014, Veterinary Medicine was ranked 1st in the UK, Medicine was ranked in the top 5, Neuroscience was ranked 3rd, and Social Work and Social Policy was 3rd.
The University of Edinburgh is a leading postgraduate teaching and research centre, ranked 19th in the QS World Rankings 2016/17, 7th in Europe, 5th in the UK and 1st in Scotland.
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Baljean Dhillon)Automated measurement of recreational reading performance on electronic devices as an indicator of visual frailty and diagnostic aid in ageing
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr G Paterson)Bacteriocins as novel tools to tackle pyoderma in companion dogs
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Beth Mills)Investigating acute inflammatory responses to bacteria and fungi in microbial keratitis for translation to novel diagnostic and treatment strategies
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ting Shi)Investigating people with multimorbidity to support unscheduled care in later life using machine learning based predictive models
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Manu Shankar-Hari)Physiology and biological impact of removing circulating cell-free DNA/Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (cfDNA/NET) on modifying lung injury
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr L Murray)Supporting Enlarged Motor Units in Mouse Models of Childhood Motor Neuron Disease
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Kev Dhaliwal)u-Care: Unravelling the mystery of deep UV light
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr K Atkins)Understanding the impact of vaccination on the spread of antibiotic resistance using phylogenetics
Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr J Paxton)Using anatomical morphometrics to guide tissue-engineered design for ankle ligament repair
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Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stephen Wallace)A Sustainable Approach to the Bio-production of Adipic Acid
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Andrew Goryachev)Finite element analysis on the evolving surfaces
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Andrew Goryachev)Patterning biological cells by directed molecular transport
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Andrew Goryachev)Self-assembly and phase separation in biological systems
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Andrew Goryachev)Waves, flares, oscillations – complex mechano-biochemical dynamics on the surface of vertebrate cells
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof L Kruuk)What makes a successful male?
The University of Edinburgh is the top rated Chemistry Department for teaching and research in Scotland. In the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, we achieved a 5A rating in recognition of the international quality of our research.
Chemistry at Edinburgh is looking to the future. We are building on our excellence in teaching and research to generate the best possible environment for staff, undergraduates and research students to realise their full potential. Strategic appointments have strengthened traditional areas such as organic synthesis. Newer fields are also vibrant at Edinburgh, particularly biotechnology, materials chemistry and nanotechnology. In these areas, our work provides the fundamental understanding at an atomic and molecular level to underpin many major interdisciplinary R&D projects. Our ongoing programme of facilities development is not just about ensuring we have the most modern research laboratories possible. Rather it aims to create an environment which will inspire new ideas, support innovation and unconventional approaches to problem solving and help us build a band of adventurers in chemistry who are devoted to discovering the future
The Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews have established a new joint Research School of Chemistry. EaStCHEM is the premier Research School for Chemistry in Scotland and is funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, The Office of Science and Technology and the parent Universities.
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr J Michel)Modelling protein covalent modifications with molecular simulation and machine learning
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Philip Camp)Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Complex Fluids for Industry
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr E Campbell)PhD Studentship in Laboratory Astrochemistry
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Mathew Heal)The role of natural and biogenic emissions for air quality modelling in the UK
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Nicholle Bell)Unravelling the structures of molecules contained within complex mixtures
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof A N Hulme)Using Stimulated Raman Scattering to track antisense oligonucleotide delivery into cells and tissues
Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr N Radacsi)3D Bioprinting Nanofibre-Reinforced Vascular Branches
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr IM Viola)A bio-inspired drone for swarm sensing
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr B Peterson)Advanced laser diagnostics for flame-wall interactions in turbulent boundary layers
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Sotirios Tsaftaris)Causal data-driven insight and prediction in care
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Sotirios Tsaftaris)Causal representation learning for robust healthcare predictions
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof S Brandani)Characterisation of Nanoporous Materials Using Adsorption at Cryogenic Conditions
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr G Santori)CO2 Capture directly from the atmosphere
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Lucia Bandiera)Data-Driven engineering of in-vitro disease models
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr G Santori)Disentangle the water-energy nexus by using low temperature heat for water desalination
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S Romero-Vargas Castrillon)Elucidating the Environmental Impact of Nanoplastics (NP) through a Mechanistic Understanding of NP-induced Cell Membrane Damage
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr C Qin)Explainable machine learning for risk prediction in later life care
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Y Huang)Hierarchical nanofabrication of smart and functional materials for energy efficient separations
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Jamie Marland)Interfacing electronics and synthetic biology
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr D Chitnis)Machine learning based circuit design and optimisation for image sensors
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sina Haeri)Modelling of phase change in dense particle assemblies
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr G Santori)New renewable energy technology
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr J Escudero Rodriguez)New technology for the remote assessment of anxiety in older people
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sina Haeri)Non-contact handling of small particles
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof S Brandani)Recovery of Reactive Nitrogen Molecules Using Adsorption Processes
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S Smith)Sensing in the community - Wearables and other sensors for at home monitoring of health and wellbeing
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Antonio Attili)Simulation and modelling of hydrogen turbulent flames with High Performance Computing and Machine Learning
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr C Ness)The Physics and Engineering of Flowing Suspensions
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr IM Viola)The Resistance of Ships with Multiscale Roughness
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Ian Underwood)Towards a method and system for widespread inexpensive unobtrusive continuous measurement and analysis of tremor as one indicator of frailty in an ageing population.
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Rohit Pillai)Using nanoscale vibrations to reduce icing on surfaces
Research Profiles:
This interdisciplinary School contains research in Ecology, Environment, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Resource Management. All components were graded 5* or 5 in the last RAE, with over one third of academics in the top 5* grouping.
In the School of GeoSciences, we explore the factors and forces that shape our world and environments in which we live. As a leading interdisciplinary group, and with over 100 academic and research specialists and some of the best scientific infrastructure in the UK, we aim to understand the interaction between the Earth's geology, atmosphere, oceans, biosphere and human responses and roles in this complex interplay. We have over 1100 undergraduate and 250 postgraduate students.
The School spans the interface between natural science and social science and this advantage enables us to contribute to the policy issues that arise between society and its interaction with the environment.
An exceptional number of quality research organisations are associated with the University in the Edinburgh area. This provides the opportunity for genuine interdisciplinary science, combined with the depth required for specialism and individual excellence.
Funded PhD opportunities are avaiable as individual projects on the School website. Other projects are available to candidates with funding (see School website).
Enquiries:
Nicki Reid
School of GeoSciences
Grant Institute
West Mains Road
Edinburgh EH9 3JW
UK
email: nicki.reid@ed.ac.uk
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Krithika Srinivasan)Everyday knowledges on street dogs and public health
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Stewart McWilliams)How Do Minerals and Melts Transport Energy in Earth’s Deep Interior?
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S Hancock)Mapping snow under and within trees with satellite lidar for improved weather, climate and hydrological modelling
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S Lewis)Caring for the Carers: co-producing interventions to improve the self-reported health of unpaid carers.
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Heather Wilkinson)Effective Voice using a digital engagement platform to achieve fair work in elder social care
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Heather Wilkinson)The use of restrictive practices with people with diminished capacity in care settings
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Edinburgh's School of Informatics brings together research in Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Computational Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence and provides a fertile environment for a wide range of interdisciplinary studies. Formed in 1998, the School of Informatics is the largest, longest established and highest quality research group in informatics in the UK, with an excellent record of achievement in both research and teaching. We offer taught and research postgraduate study programmes spanning the field of Informatics.
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr OT Brown)Benchmarking Quantum Advantage
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr P Papapanagiotou)Data- and process-driven monitoring of Activities of Daily Living to predict health outcomes
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof John Vines)Developing new approaches to participatory design for advanced care technologies in later life
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr M Weiland)HPC workload generation and benchmarking
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr M Bull)Microbenchmarks for Accelerator Offloading
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr N Brown)Obtaining performance portability via Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) and MLIR
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Ava Khamseh)PhD studentship in Predicting Higher-Order Biomarker Interactions using Machine Learning
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Polgreen)PhD studentship in Program Synthesis
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr M Weiland)Supporting heterogeneous architectures in ASiMoV-CCS
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sohan Seth)Understanding and clustering trajectories of multimorbidity using interpretable machine learning
Research Profiles:
Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr V Elvira)Sequential Bayesian inference in complex and realistic dynamical systems
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr J Page)Studying transient turbulence with convolutional neural networks and Koopman operator theory
Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Robin Williams)Governance for Trusted Integrated Care Infrastructure
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Robin Williams)Independence in the 'Elder Experience'
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr A Marshall)Neighbourhood and health in later life: a mixed methods study
Based in the central campus at the University of Edinburgh, the Business School seeks to set the agenda across a wide range of business disciplines, with our research areas staffed by teams whose work has real influence in business, government, and the public sector.
The University of Edinburgh was ranked as 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, 2019), and the Business School has significant research expertise across six subject areas (https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/research/areas):
Accounting and Finance
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Management Science and Business Economics
Marketing
Organisation Studies
Strategy
We aim to provide a highly dynamic and supportive research environment for our large and diverse graduate community, ensuring that Business School PhD students have the resources required to make the most of their individual projects. This is evidenced by our positive student feedback in national surveys such as the PRES 2019.
In addition, the Business School has received full research training accreditation both from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and holds the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of the positive work the School has done to promote diversity and gender equality.
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Tong Wang)Digital Economics and CryptoFinance
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof S Osborne)Identifying and resolving the ethical challenges of the use of AI and robotics in supporting elderly people in the community
Research Profiles:
Other PhD Programmes
- ACRC Academy
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Mathematical Modelling, Analysis & Computation: 4-year PhD studentships
- PhD Scholarships at Edinburgh College of Art – Art, Design, Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Music, History of Art
- Study Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh - funding opportunities available
- UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Natural Language Processing
