DPhil in Surgical Sciences

The DPhil in Surgical Sciences is a full-time doctoral course offering research training across a range of scientific areas for both clinical and non-clinical graduates within an academic surgery department.

Hosted by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, the DPhil in Surgical Sciences is three to four years in length. Research undertaken within the department covers many areas including fields such as:

• cancer;
• immunology;
• neurosciences;
• global surgery; and
• specialities such as patient safety, transplantation, urology and vascular surgery

Our research profile is diverse, spanning basic science and disease pathogenesis, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, translational research and clinical trials.

You will be admitted directly onto a research project working with one of the department’s many principal investigators (PIs). Usually candidates agree upon a project with their supervisor.

Projects available for entry in 2025 can be found on our departmental website, which will be updated frequently. Interested candidates are strongly advised to contact the PI prior to application.

Applications received by the December deadline will automatically be considered for University funding from a range of sources. Further information on the funding that may be available can be found on the Medical Sciences Division pages.

For full details on deadlines and how to apply please see the University’s DPhil in Surgical Sciences pages. Applications for entry in October 2025 are now open, and our main deadline is 3^rd December 2024.