Advanced Therapies for Regenerative Medicine Wellcome Trust PhD Training Programme

at King’s College London

The Wellcome Trust is the world's largest medical research charity, funding research into human and animal health. There are 23 Wellcome Trust Four-Year PhD Programmes, which offer exceptional opportunities to talented researchers who wish to study for a PhD in the UK. The Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine hosts the Advanced Therapies for Regenerative Medicine Wellcome Trust PhD Training Programme. Seven fully funded studentships, including: a paid stipend (starting at starting at £25,954/annum UK tax free with annual increments), university fees and International Health Surcharge and VISA fees reimbursement - are available with a start date in September 2024 to provide in-depth postgraduate training to highly motivated students of any nationality.

Year 1

In the first year students undertake an MRes by participating in:

• Lab Rotations: 12-week rotations in three laboratories. A list of supervisors can be found in the Leadership and Supervisors section of the programme webpages. Rotation project descriptions will be supplied in January to candidates shortlisted for an interview.
• PhD Project Proposal: At the end of the three rotations, students choose one project to pursue for their thesis work and prepare a PhD project proposal.
• Fundamental Concepts of Advanced Therapies: Students can attend various lecture series available across King’s designed to develop expertise in the biological, commercial and regulatory aspects of cellular and gene therapies along with its application in biomedicine.
• Experimental Skills Workshops: Students attend workshops designed to give early career scientists the skills they need to support their research in areas such as genetics and statistics. They will also have the opportunity to write and publish a scientific review.

Years 2-4

Following completion of the MRes:

• Thesis Research: Students embark on their thesis project, supported and monitored by their thesis committees.
• Internship: Each student can undertake an internship (ranging from a few days to three months) designed to enhance lab skills, provide exposure to different working environments, foster collaborations and stimulate interdisciplinary research.

Year 5

The studentship includes a short-term funds to allow a tailored transition activity that helps you embark on your chosen post-PhD career path (e.g. a short post-doc to complete a publication, trial a career outside academia in areas, such as publishing, teaching, policy, business or industry).

Scientific Environment and Career Advice (Years 1 – 4) Students attend the CSCRM Journal Club, Stem Cells @ Lunch Seminar Series as well as talks by visiting scientists. Students will also attend master classes and evening talks to gain perspectives on diverse aspects of a research career as well as other, perhaps less obvious, career options. In addition, they have access to the King’s Research Development Unit. With contacts made through the master classes and internships, students will be highly employable in any career sector, but, in particular, the academic sector and the burgeoning commercial sector of regenerative medicine.

Applicants are encouraged to read through the Programme Structure, Leaderships and Supervisors and Funding, Eligibility and How to Apply webpages for further information before directing any queries to the programme, Dr Fay Minty, fay.minty@kcl.ac.uk

How to apply

After checking that you meet the eligibility criterion, please following the directions downloaded from the HOW TO APPLY webpage. We encourage applicants from communities underrepresented in academia.

Application DEADLINE 23:59, 16 November 2023.