King's College London

Applications for October 2026 intake are now closed.

Human genetics is transforming our ability to uncover the true causes of disease, offering one of the most powerful routes to successful drug discovery. With advances in AI, multi-omics and large-scale data integration, researchers can now move beyond association to pinpoint causal biology and identify targets with real therapeutic potential. This approach is rapidly reshaping biomedical discovery and powering the next wave of innovation in human health.

Our mission is to train the next generation of researchers to harness human genetics, systems biology and A.I. to discover therapeutic targets through data-driven approaches, equipping them to modernise drug development and accelerate innovation in precision medicine

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for curious, motivated students who are excited by the challenge of uncovering the causal biology of disease. A passion for data-driven science is essential, and applicants should be keen to develop skills at the interface of human genetics, AI and therapeutic discovery. Some basic programming experience (e.g. R or Python) is helpful, but we welcome candidates from a range of scientific backgrounds and will provide training to help everyone succeed.

What we offer

• Fully funded 4 year studentships, including UKRI-rate stipend, home-rate tuition fees, research costs, and dedicated training support.
• World-class training in human genetics, data science, AI, multi-omics and systems biology, delivered through short courses, workshops and hands-on research.
• Multidisciplinary co-supervision from leading experts across genetics, computational biology, pharmacology, and translational science.
• Opportunities for industry collaboration, including long-term placements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.
• Access to world-class datasets and infrastructure, including UK Biobank, Our Future Health and state-of-the-art bioinformatics resources.
• Comprehensive career development support, preparing students for roles in academia, industry, healthcare data science and beyond.
• An inclusive, supportive training environment, with a strong commitment to widening participation and personalised skills development.

How to Apply

Applications will open in early 2026, with PhD students starting in September 2026. Further details on the application process will be provided closer to the opening date.

Group leads

• Dr Alan Hodgkinson Reader in Computational Genomics

Dr Alan Hodgkinson

• Professor Michael Simpson Professor of Genetics

Professor Michael Simpson

• Professor Kerrin Small Professor in Genomics

Professor Kerrin Small

• Dr Sarah Marzi PhD Reader in Neurogenomics

Contact us

• Contact us: GDSProgramme@kcl.ac.uk

Related departments

• Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine
• Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
• Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
• Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences

Research areas