Postgraduate Research

For PhD projects and research opportunities please contact Dr Dianne Cooper (Director of Graduate Studies). To learn more visit PhD Opportunities.

The Barts Charity Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) is a 4‑year PhD initiative designed to build biomedical research capacity focused on the major health inequalities affecting the underserved communities of East London. The programme develops researchers who understand local health challenges and are motivated to continue addressing them throughout their careers, aligning with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry’s mission to deliver better health for all and Barts Charity’s vision to enable life‑changing improvements for the people of East London.

Click here to find out more

This Centre of Doctoral Training funds exciting four-year industry-linked PhD projects associated with the development and understanding of in vitro models, in particular associated with organ-on-a-chip technologies.  For more information see https://www.cpm.qmul.ac.uk/cdt/

The projects currently advertised are:

• Developing an advanced glomerulus-on-a-chip model to study inflammation in the kidney
• Development of a dual-use skin-on-a-chip model for assessment of oncology drug toxicity 
• Targeting inflammatory pathways in asthma utilising an alveolar lung-on-a-chip model 
• Development of an immune-infiltrated adipose tissue-on-a-chip model for interactions between inflammation and dysfunction 
• Development of spinal cord injury and repair-on-a-chip model
• 3D printing complex microenvironments for next generation musculoskeletal organ-chips
• Advancing animal-free organ-on-a-chip of arthritis with PeptiMatrix

To apply for a project on this programme click here.

The QMUL Advanced AI for Multi‑modal Spatial Biology PhD Programme trains future computational research leaders to develop cutting‑edge AI and machine‑learning approaches for analysing the complex, high‑dimensional data generated by modern spatial biology technologies. Funded through a BBSRC Doctoral Focal Award, the programme brings together expertise across Queen Mary University of London to support students in creating new models of molecular and cellular interactions using multimodal imaging and single‑molecule datasets, with 27 fully funded PhD studentships across three cohorts starting from 2026.

Click here to find out more

In the area of cardiovascular sciences, a key element of our NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is the creation of a Translational Cardiovascular Medicine Academy. Since 2013, this has been enhanced by our BHF 4-year MRes/PhD Programme. This provides students of the highest calibre with an opportunity to receive training in cardiovascular science from the molecular and cellular level, to in vivo models to healthy volunteer and patient-based studies.

• Delivered in partnership with the University of Southampton
• Students will complete an MRes in year 1 before progressing to a PhD
• The MRes will involve 4 taught modules and 3 rotational projects
• Students will then select one of their MRes rotational projects as the subject of their PhD.

For further information about this programme please contact Professor John Marshall at j.f.marshall@qmul.ac.uk 

We frequently advertise stand-alone PhD studentships funded by charitable bodies, industry and Queen Mary University of London.

During their studies, the progression of each research student is closely monitored. For PhD and MD(Res) students, there are progression points at 9, 18 and 30 months when students produce interim reports of their progress and future plans for consideration by two independent assessors in conjunction with reports from the supervisors. Students also present at ‘Research In Progress’ meetings, at which PhD students and junior post-doctoral researchers share their on-going experimental work with researchers from across the WHRI.

Within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, all students participate fully in a doctoral development training scheme, based on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. This approach means that students are well prepared to become successful independent researchers and fully equipped with the necessary skills to enter the workplace. During their training period, students work with their supervisors and independent assessors to identify their individual training needs. In addition to opportunities within the WHRI, students can undertake training programmes from a range of activities offered by the wider Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and by the Queen Mary Academy.

Our aim is to provide all our students with the experience of cutting-edge research conducted at the highest level, coupled with the attainment of the transferable skills essential for success in research and research-related careers. Former students and fellows include Professors at Yale, Singapore, Frankfurt, Washington, and institutions throughout the UK, as well as CEOs and R&D Directors of major companies.