Medical Research Council (MRC) Discovery Medicine North (DiMeN) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Including opportunities with industrial placements

Utilising the combined expertise of four world-leading Universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield, the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded Discovery Medicine North (DiMeN) partnership is training the next generation of researchers to tackle the major health problems facing the population. The Partnership is offering up to 32 studentships starting in October 2018. As a student you have the choice of 67 projects from across our network, 13 of which include an industrial partner.

The partnership provides studentships focusing on the complementary themes of:

• Genetic Influences on Health
• Ageing and Disease
• Bioinformatics and Personalised Medicine

The DiMeN DTP delivers a unique, flexible, student-centred programme of training. As a DiMeN PhD student, you will benefit from:

• A choice of excellent research projects, including projects involving non-academic/industry partners
• The support of at least two supervisors, ensuring excellent supervision and a cross-disciplinary approach to your research
• Cohort gateway skills training sessions in bioinformatics and computational biology, imaging and an introduction to in vivo experimental techniques
• In depth specialist training in a range of areas relevant to your project
• Access to training and development opportunities across the world class research facilities of the DiMeN partnership
• Core training events throughout the programme, bringing you together with fellow DiMeN students to develop skills in every aspect of being a successful researcher and to prepare you for your future career. This includes media training, opportunities to present your research and a residential “Grad School” focussed on careers and preparing you for jobs beyond your PhD.
• Inclusion within an active community of students and researchers from across the DiMeN network through shared training and research opportunities

Funding

DiMeN DTP studentships are funded for 3.5 years and include the following annual package of financial support over the duration of the studentship:

• A tax-free maintenance grant set at the national UK Research Council postgraduate rate
• Full payment of tuition fees at the standard UK/EU rate
• A research training support grant to support your research studies
• Additional travel costs to support attendance at UK and international meetings
• Opportunity to apply to our Flexible Fund to further support your training and development needs, including the potential for placements or internships

DiMeN welcomes applications from both UK and EU students in a wide range of disciplines. Successful UK students will receive a full studentship. EU students will be considered for a full studentship or fees only support depending on the excellence of their qualifications and their employment/residency status.

Eligibility

You must hold (or be about to obtain) a First or an Upper Second Class UK undergraduate degree or an equivalent degree from a recognised EU institution, in the biosciences or a related area. Qualifications (or a combination of qualifications and experience) which demonstrate equivalent ability and attainment will also be considered. For example, a less than sufficient first degree may be enhanced to meet the requirements by the acquisition of a distinction at Masters level).

The multidisciplinary training experience and interdisciplinary nature of some of our projects means that we welcome applications from students with physical science and/or mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills to address the challenges of 21st century bioscience research.

These studentships are available to UK and other EU nationals. For full details on eligibility, including residence requirements, please see the MRC website.

How to Apply

Please carefully read the instructions on how to apply at our website and use the link on the page to submit an application: www.dimen.org.uk/how-to-apply/application-overview

Closing date for applications is 22nd January 2018.

For more information on the MRC DiMeN DTP visit our website: www.dimen.org.uk