British Heart Foundation Multidisciplinary PhD Programme

Overview

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Multidisciplinary PhD Programme is offering 2 fully funded four-year PhD studentships at University of Liverpool as part of the CHAIN (Connecting Hearts And mINds) consortium.

About this opportunity

The CHAIN programme combines cardiovascular science, neuroscience, cell biology, data science, epidemiology, artificial intelligence, computer science, behavioural science, engineering and engineering biology to provide you with broad, multidisciplinary training. Over the course of the programme , you will develop the skills and perspectives needed to undertake a cutting-edge PhD project aligned to the heart-brain axis theme.

You’ll have access to expert supervisors and cutting-edge state-of-the-art facilities, preparing you to undertake a research project that advances understanding and treatment of heart-brain diseases and associated comorbidities.

After your initial training (year 1), you will co-design your PhD project (years 2-4) with supervisors from your host institution and consortium partners, ensuring it aligns with your interests and the programme’s theme and multidisciplinary focus.

Throughout your PhD, you’ll benefit from ongoing tailored training, professional development, and opportunities for industry engagement to support your research progression training and its real-world impact.

During your first year you’ll have the opportunity to develop and refine a multidisciplinary research project that aligns with your interests in heart and brain research with a team of expert supervisors.

Research opportunities within the programme span multiple disciplines, reflecting the complex link between heart and brain health. Areas of focus include:

• Advanced imaging
• Artificial intelligence
• Behavioural science
• Bioinformatics
• Cell biology and engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer science
• Data science
• Discovery Biosciences
• Engineering
• Epidemiology
• Material Biosciences
• Mathematics
• Nanotechnology
• OMICS
• Physics Expert supervisors The programme features supervisors covering the breadth of these multidisciplinary fields. When it comes to defining your research project, you’ll match with an expert supervisor from your chosen area who will guide and support you in developing your project. Please note, unlike other PhD programmes, you are not required to contact the supervisor before applying for this programme.

Who is this for?

These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home fees only.

Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.

We actively welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and scientific backgrounds, including cardiovascular science, neuroscience, data science, and engineering.

We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.

How to apply

• 1. Contact supervisors Full programme details are available here (note that University of Manchester is the lead University for this programme): https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/funding-fees/funded-programmes/bhf-chain/ . Please apply to University of Liverpool via this link: British Heart Foundation (BHF) CHAIN DTP – candidate application form 2027/28 entry – Fill in form You should follow all instructions in the form, including the submission of your supporting documents via email to dtcoordinator@liverpool.ac.uk . Applications will be reviewed by a panel of academic staff following the closing date. Successful applicants only will be advised to submit a formal application through the University of Liverpool Application Portal at the relevant time. Supervisor Email address Staff profile URL Prof Deirdre Lane Deirdre.lane@liverpool.ac.uk https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/deirdre-lane

1. Contact supervisors

Supervisor | Email address | Staff profile URL

Prof Deirdre Lane | Deirdre.lane@liverpool.ac.uk | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/deirdre-lane

• 2. Prepare your application documents University transcripts and degree certificates to date Passport details A personal statement Names and contact details of two referees.

2. Prepare your application documents

• University transcripts and degree certificates to date
• Passport details
• A personal statement
• Names and contact details of two referees.
• 3. Apply Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Funding your PhD

The BHF Multidisciplinary PhD Programme is open to home-fee eligible candidates and covers tuition fees, research costs and a tax-free stipend for living costs per year of:

Year 1: £21,747

Year 2: £23,520

Year 3: £25,437

Year 4: £25,437

The programme also includes a £3,000 fund for travel to conferences and contributions towards travel costs to partner institutions for training.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Research areas