Queen's University Belfast

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Dentistry

• Dentistry: School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PhD
• Overview
• Course content
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Overview

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences trains ~350 postgraduate research students undertaking PhD, MD and MPhil degrees in Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, Precision Health, Medical Education and Dentistry each year. Its diverse postgraduate student population comprises both basic and clinical scientists from across the globe engaged in wide-ranging research projects spanning the breadth of the School’s research portfolio from traditional population-based epidemiology to 'big data' science and bioinformatics, through molecular and cell biology to clinical trials. Reflecting our commitment to gender equality, we hold prestigious School and Institutional Athena Swan Gold Awards. Please ensure you submit your CV and covering letter highlighting your strengths and motivation for applying for individual PGR study. While projects are initially advertised as medicine or dentistry pathways, there are opportunities to pursue either research degree for individual projects.

Subject Summary

As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences you will join a vibrant research community addressing key global healthcare challenges. You will work closely with academic and postdoctoral staff as a central and highly-valued component of the School’s research programme, thereby contributing to key discoveries in disease mechanisms which are translated towards innovative prevention and therapeutic strategies which will ultimately improve quality of life and survival of patients. Direct translation of research findings from bench to bedside is facilitated by close collaborative interaction between clinical and basic research scientists as a hallmark of our research programme, allowing the direct translation of excellent science to clinical benefit.

Dentistry Highlights

• The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences promotes close collaborative interaction with local and global biotechnology companies, such as Almac, Randox, Life Technologies, and Illumina. Such relationships are underpinned by innovative discovery science and its clinical application and have resulted in development of novel diagnostic/prognostic applications and therapies. We offer a range of opportunities for collaborative postgraduate research between QUB and many of our industrial partners. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate programme trains students in both research-specific and generic skills towards promotion of professional development. Students may also avail of career development advice at the School annual Postgraduate Research Forum, through its peer mentoring programme, and as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. Queen's is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2026); and ranked 1st in the UK for career prospects for Biomedical Science, Medicine and Midwifery (Guardian University Guide 2025). The QUB Graduate School also provides wide-ranging opportunities for career development which complement School-specific postgraduate research training. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• Queen's is ranked in the top 175 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). We have over 4000 international students from over 90 different countries. We’re 5th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026). The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences holds a Gold Athena Swan Award with QUB holding an institutional Gold Athena Swan Award 2024. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• As a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework (2021), 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 ranks Queen’s in the top 105 in the World for research quality. Queen’s are ranked 2nd in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences will undertake their research projects within the Institute of Health Sciences which has benefitted from significant recent investment (>£100M) and boasts state-of-art facilities and technology. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences are closely supervised by experienced academic staff, many complemented by experts in experience supervisors and are viewed as a central and critical component of their world-leading research programmes. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/
• The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences provides a vibrant environment for postgraduate research training. There are currently ~350 students undertaking wide-ranging basic science and clinical research projects who work closely together with postdoctoral and academic staff across the Institute of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to interact both within and across disciplines through formal and informal School events, many of which are student-led. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/

Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:

• Opportunity to benefit from world-class infrastructure and academic faculty.
• Tailored postgraduate training programme including specific and generic aspects and careers-focussed peer mentoring.
• Access to the QUB Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme.
• Provision of shared laboratory, high performance computing, and office space as required by research project.
• Opportunities to engage with QUB’s personal and public involvement network, working with diverse stakeholders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGXTOTgyL4

Research Information

Research Themes The Johnston Cancer Research Centre (JCRC) The global burden of cancer is increasing with incidence now at 15 million new diagnoses each year. The Johnston Cancer Research Centre (JCRC) is attuned to this global health issue and specialises in integrating academic discovery, industrial/commercial enterprise and innovative health care practice to promote effective delivery of precision cancer medicine, to improve patient health and outcomes, generate wealth and alleviate suffering. JCRC has established successful multi-disciplinary teams focusing on cancers of Gastrointestinal, Prostate, Breast and Ovarian origin. Each team incorporates disease-specialist clinicians, accredited molecular pathology expertise bringing affiliated biobank tissue repositories, and academics skilled in the art of (i) biomarker discovery and bioinformatics, (ii) biological investigation and therapeutic development, and (iii) the prosecution of early-phase translation-driven clinical trials. Our significant success has resulted from a strong team-based approach. Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine The Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) is committed to research excellence by making scientific breakthroughs in the mechanisms of disease, which we translate to innovative therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. We are an international hub of excellence on eye disease, infectious diseases and respiratory disease with a core emphasis on immunology, molecular cell biology and patient-based investigations. WWIEM comprises three main research themes focussed on Immunology and Microbes, Respiratory Medicine, and Vision and Vascular Medicine. Our Immunobiology and Microbes research group focusses on understanding the immune system which is essential for defence of the human body, not only in preventing a wide variety of diseases but also aiding recovery from them. Our Respiratory Medicine research group focusses on understanding the processes that lead to common lung illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our Vision and Vascular Medicine research group particularly focusses on inflammation within the cardiovascular system as a frequent cause of cardiac and other vascular diseases which represent a significant health burden on society. Our work makes an important impact in the fight against conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease. Centre for Medical Education Research students joining the Centre for Medical Education will have the opportunity to develop an education project using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, for which specific training is made available. Research encompasses a range of learning environments and spans the continuum of medical education. Projects are linked by an underlying commitment to improve patient care through education. Current research interests include GP pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, identity, critical research, and diversity and inclusion. Students are mentored to develop their own research questions and methodologies within the broad remit of the Centre. Centre for Public Health The overall mission of the Centre for Public Health (CPH) is to improve health and reduce inequalities, prevent and manage chronic disease and disability more effectively, and to improve the delivery of health and social care. CPH comprises four main research themes focussed on Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology, Nutrition and Public Health, and Health Services and Global Health. Our Epidemiology and Public Health research group harnesses Big Data in discovery science and its application to clinical and public health practice, to help to understand how both molecular biomarkers and environments (including social norms and networks) shape risk in individuals and populations across the life course. Our Cancer Epidemiology research group includes programmes focussed on pre-malignancy molecular epidemiology, gastrointestinal cancer progression and precision medicine, and pharmaco-epidemiology exploring the potential for drug re-purposing. Our Nutrition and Public Health research group works across the life-course to understand the determinants of a healthy diet in individuals, at risk groups (e.g. schoolchildren, pregnant women, older people) and whole populations, and on identifying ways to improve it. Our Health Services and Global Health research group focusses on health care for people with chronic conditions and poor mental health, quality improvement and implementation science, oral health and related cancers, trials methodology, health economics, and global eye health. Our Dentistry and Oral Health Care research has a focus on gerodontology, head and neck cancer, and nutrition. The School co-hosts Doctoral Training Programmes in Artificial Healthcare for Biosciences and Health Biosciences, Rare Diseases, Ageing and opportunities aligned to industry collaborations, for example with the Future Medicines Institute.

PhD Opportunities Funded postgraduate research studentships are advertised on the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateResearch/CurrentOpportunities/. We welcome applications from externally or self-funded students who should identify potential academic supervisors aligned with their research interests: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/. Please note that we can only support projects which fit within our main research themes of Experimental Medicine, Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Medical Education, Public Health and Dentistry.

Research Impact The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences drives research excellence and impact, delivering innovative solutions to the specific challenges we have identified in healthcare. The School has three central aims: (1) To address key global challenges in health care by making scientific breakthroughs in mechanisms of disease, translating these to innovative therapeutics and preventive interventions to improve patient outcomes. (2) To establish lasting relationships with major funders for programmatic research and capacity building. This includes doctoral training, clinical academic programmes and postdoctoral fellowships. (3) To leverage scientific strengths with small and medium size enterprises and large pharmaceutical companies to develop externally funded competitive, collaborative programmes for discovery and translation.

Research Projects Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

Research Success As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. Queen’s are ranked 2nd in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.

Current PGR Student Profiles Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

Career Prospects

Introduction The majority of postgraduate research students within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences continue to successfully secure appropriate employment upon completion of their studies. Chosen careers are generally relevant to their qualification within industry, academia and the National Health Service and have included postdoctoral research across the world, clinical/non-clinical academia, return to full-time clinical work, medical writing, industry research, management/financial consultancy, and R&D software development. The School runs a dedicated careers session at its annual Postgraduate Research Forum and careers-focussed peer mentoring from postdoctoral researchers whilst students are expected to discuss potential careers with their supervisors as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. http://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/

Employment after the Course All postgraduate research students can avail of careers advice from the Graduate School whilst postdoctoral employment opportunities are highlighted at the annual School Postgraduate Research Forum within a dedicated session. Students should also discuss potential careers with their supervisors as a central focus of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. http://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/

Learning Outcomes

As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences you will receive high-quality training and support for a career enhanced by scientific research with significant potential to contribute to development of improved strategies for the management and treatment of life-threatening diseases.

Course structure

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to providing its postgraduate research students with a supportive environment to effectively promote their education, training and professional development. First year students enrol on a tailored training programme comprising a series of lectures, workshops and practical sessions focused on key research skills, such as bioimaging, informatics, genomics, mass spectrometry, animal models and clinical trials. In addition, all students receive wide-ranging and ongoing training in generic and transferable skills, such as scientific writing, data analysis, presentation and critical appraisal, through dedicated communication courses and seminars. They also benefit from presentation of their research findings at major national and international conferences, which is an expectation of all postgraduate research students, and through regular interaction with the QUB Graduate School, whose specific function is to support postgraduate training, development and careers. Students undertake their specific research project under the close guidance of an experienced principal supervisor with support from 1 or 2 co-supervisors as appropriate. All postgraduate research students are initially registered as ‘undifferentiated’ which means that they are required to complete a probationary period after which they are assessed for their suitability to undertake a postgraduate research degree during the differentiation process. Differentiation normally takes place at 6-9 months for full time students and 12-18 months for part time students. Each student is required to complete a literature review, give an oral presentation of their research within their Centre, and provide evidence of appropriate training and completion of their Postgraduate Development Plan. They are then interviewed by a differentiation panel, comprising 2 or 3 academic staff, who assess the students understanding of their project and progress, based on both their submitted paperwork and response to questions. Differentiated students are required to complete a similar Annual Progress Review process in each subsequent year of their research degree. The duration of a full-time PhD programme is normally 3-4 years. For completion of their doctoral qualification students are required to submit a thesis of their research of appropriate length and content (as advised by their supervisors) which will be assessed by oral examination conducted by an external and internal examiner. Funded postgraduate research studentships are advertised on the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateResearch/CurrentOpportunities/. We welcome applications from externally or self-funded students who should identify potential academic supervisors aligned with their research interests: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/ Please note that we can only support projects which fit within the overall research strategy of the School and individual research focus of our academic staff. Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students and are happy to develop research proposals of mutual interest. Often this process will involve an informal face-to-face meeting (in person or via teleconferencing) prior to an invitation to submit a formal application. If you have difficulty identifying or contacting an appropriate supervisor, please contact Professor AJ McKnight, Director of Postgraduate Research (a.j.mcknight@qub.ac.uk), or the School Postgraduate Office (pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk), who will be happy to help. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate research and are keen to propose their own research project should select ONE potential supervisor from our list of academic staff per application (https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/), and send an email containing: (1) a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum); (2) a concise statement of motivation including research interests; (3) source of funding; and (4) intended start date. Our Faculty student recruitment hub will also be able to provide further information: askmhls@qub.ac.uk. For students applying for a funded or competitively funded PhD, please provide a concise statement of motivation, including research interests and research experience as relevant to the studentship for which you are applying. While projects are initially advertised as medicine or dentistry pathways, there are opportunities to pursue either research degree for individual projects.

Assessment

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences will receive ongoing training in scientific writing, presentation and critical analysis as the basis for a research career. The School supports and challenges its postgraduate research students through robust annual progress review, requiring satisfactory assessment of written work, symposia presentations, supervisor reports and panel interview, the success of which is evidenced by its excellent completion rates. At the end of their postgraduate research training period, students are required to submit a thesis of their research of appropriate length and content which is assessed by oral examination conducted by an external and internal examiner.

Feedback

Postgraduate research students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences receive feedback on their written and oral work throughout the period of registration for their degree. This may be both formal and informal and is provided regularly by their supervisors, peers, academic/postdoctoral colleagues, and annual progress review panel.

Facilities

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences benefit from world-class infrastructure and academic faculty and are highly valued as a central and critical component of its research strategy. All students will have access to shared laboratory and office space as required by their research project. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/

Learning and Teaching

This is a research degree.

Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp

Using epigenetic modifiers in combination with 5-FU based chemotherapy to elicit tumour specific immune responses and immunogenic cell death in colorectal cancer. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cell-death, Colorectal Cancer, chemotherapy, Immunity, genomics Dr Simon McDade Supervisor Dr Simon McDade Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Tackling protease-mediated inflammation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Innate Immunity, Respiratory Disease, Proteases Professor Cliff Taggart Supervisor Professor Cliff Taggart Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Macrophage-bacteria interactions in cystic fibrosis: the cellular microbiology of the novel opportunistic bacterium Achromobacter species School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD macrophage, cystic fibrosis, intracellular survival, inflammation, pyroptosis, virulence factors Professor Miguel Valvano Supervisor Professor Miguel Valvano Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Bacterial lipocalins: Novel role in bacterial protection against antibiotic-induced membrane lipid peroxidation School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD antibiotic resistance, lipid peroxidation, RNAseq, metabolomics, protein structure-function, Professor Miguel Valvano Supervisor Professor Miguel Valvano Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

How do cancer cells decide to release growth-promoting molecules? School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cancer, cell signalling, biochemistry, cell biology, in vivo models, inflammation. EGFR, EGF ligands Dr Colin Adrain Supervisor Dr Colin Adrain Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Development of in silico framework to support pre-clinical model selection School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Bioinformatics, biostatistics, machine learning, cancer, stratified medicine, data modelling, data Dr Jaine Blayney Supervisor Dr Jaine Blayney Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Investigating the functional consequences of HUWE1 mutations in Multiple Myeloma School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma, HUWE1, CRISPR Dr Lisa Crawford Supervisor Dr Lisa Crawford Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Novel approaches to uncovering effects of anti-cancer agents targeting epigenetic modifiers. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Genomics, Epigenetics, Cancer, Assay development Dr Simon McDade Supervisor Dr Simon McDade Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Cancer in low-and-middle income countries School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cancer epidemiology Premalignant disease research including impact of receiving a pre-malignant d Dr Charlene McShane Supervisor Dr Charlene McShane Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Improving Oral Health in Care Homes School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Oral Health; Aging; Nutrition; Care homes; Nursing homes Dr Gerry McKenna Supervisor Dr Gerry McKenna Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

A multi-level approach to better understand the association between physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and cancer risk School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cancer; prevention; physical activity; built environment; UK Biobank Professor Ruth Hunter Supervisor Professor Ruth Hunter Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Designing and piloting a teacher incentive programme in Tanzania to improve school eye health programme implementation School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Global health, school eye health, low/middle-income countries, vision science, ophthalmology and opt Dr Ving Fai Chan Supervisor Dr Ving Fai Chan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Establishing human blood vessel organoids as a model for drug screening for Diabetes and Vascular Complications using the Remarkable technology of induced pluripotent stem cells School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Induced pluripotent stem cells human blood vessel organoids Diabetes and Vascular Complications Professor Andriana Margariti Supervisor Professor Andriana Margariti Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Exploration of the impact of aging and senescence on angiocrine functions of pulmonary endothelium and therapeutic potential of cell based therapies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Mesenchymal stromal cells, extracellular vesicles, ARDS, alveolar epithelium, regeneration, Dr Anna Krasnodembskaya Supervisor Dr Anna Krasnodembskaya Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Characterisation of new mechanisms of host subversion by rhinovirus, the common cold virus School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Rhinovirus, host-pathogen interactions, virus, cell, molecular mechanisms, virology, microbiology Dr Aurelie Mousnier Supervisor Dr Aurelie Mousnier Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Modulating the A20-DREAM axis in inflammation by drug repurposing School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Inflammation, Pharmacological intervention, Drug repurposing, A20 (TNFAIP3), DREAM Dr Bettina Schock Supervisor Dr Bettina Schock Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Epigenetics in heart failure: mechanism and therapeutic targeting School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Heart failure, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac remodelling, Biomarkers, Epigenetics, Fibrosis Dr Chris Watson Supervisor Dr Chris Watson Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Protease-mediated inflammation in chronic lung disease School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Innate Immunity, Respiratory Disease, Proteases Professor Cliff Taggart Supervisor Professor Cliff Taggart Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

CORONARY MICROVASCULAR SIGNALLING AS A CENTRAL DETERMINANT OF ADVERSE TISSUE REMODELLING AND DYSFUNCTION IN THE DIABETIC HEART School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Heart failure, diabetes, cardiovascular, physiology, molecular biology Professor David Grieve Supervisor Professor David Grieve Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Dissection of protease signalling during bacterial infection for drug and biomarker discovery School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Host-pathogen interaction, bacteria, antimicrobials, cellular microbiology, proteomics, proteases Dr Gunnar Schroeder Supervisor Dr Gunnar Schroeder Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Association of oral Streptococci with vascular inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Oral bacteria, dental caries, apical periodontitis, oral heath, cardiovascular disease Dr Ikhlas El Karim Supervisor Dr Ikhlas El Karim Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Role of cell death and necroinflammation in pulpal wound healing School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dental pulp stem cells, sterile inflammation, regenerative endodontics Dr Ikhlas El Karim Supervisor Dr Ikhlas El Karim Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on health outcomes: does an apple a day still keep the doctor away? School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Nutrition; fruit and vegetables; dietary assessment; dietary modelling; qualitative methodologies Professor Jayne Woodside Supervisor Professor Jayne Woodside Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Exploiting the protein O-glycosylation pathway in opportunistic bacteria as a novel antimicrobial target School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Protein glycosylation, proteomics, transcriptomics, cystic fibrosis, Burkholderia, antimicrobial res Professor Miguel Valvano Supervisor Professor Miguel Valvano Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Organelle dynamics during endothelial senescence School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cellular senescence, cell ageing, vascular biology, endothelial senescence, mitochondria, endoplasmi Professor Reinhold Medina Supervisor Professor Reinhold Medina Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Three-dimensional structural mapping of the retinal neurovascular unit and the influence of diabetes School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Diabetes, Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Vascular Biology, Diabetic Retinopathy, Imaging, Image Analys Professor Tim Curtis Supervisor Professor Tim Curtis Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Can we repair brain damage using the immune system? School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Tissue repair, inflammasomes, Multiple Sclerosis, MS, neuroimmunology, brain repair, regenerative in Dr Yvonne Dombrowski Supervisor Dr Yvonne Dombrowski Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Identifying immune mechanisms in the CNS as targets for the treatment of paediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS) School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Multiple sclerosis, MS, neuroinflammation, inflammation, neuroscience, myelin, inflammasomes, regene Dr Yvonne Dombrowski Supervisor Dr Yvonne Dombrowski Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Mechanisms and models of Gremlin1 signalling in cancer and tissue fibrosis School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Grem1, tissue fibrosis, cancer, cell biology, molecular biology, organoids, pharmacology, drug disco Dr Derek Brazil Supervisor Dr Derek Brazil Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

The identification of host proteins essential for the packaging of Influenza A virus genomic RNAs School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Influenza RNA epitranscriptomics packaging Dr David Courtney Supervisor Dr David Courtney Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Can we protect the urinary bladder from radiation toxicity? School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Radiation therapy; cancer; bladder; microvessels; endothelial cells; Professor Karen McCloskey Supervisor Professor Karen McCloskey Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Nuclear localisation and signalling by the formyl peptide receptor 2 as a new target for diabetic retinopathy. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD diabetic retinopathy, nucleus, FPR2, GPCR, signalling Dr Bianca Plouffe Supervisor Dr Bianca Plouffe Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Diabetic eye disease: minimising impact, maximising reach School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Diabetic eye disease, screening options, treatment opportunities, visual loss, quality of life Professor Tunde Peto Supervisor Professor Tunde Peto Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Investigating the importance of where we live on dementia risk and brain health using novel geospatial, satellite and multi-omic data sources and technologies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Planetary health; climate action; public health; environmental health; equity Professor Ruth Hunter Supervisor Professor Ruth Hunter Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Disarming antimicrobial responses: how Klebsiella pneumoniae controls inflammasome activation School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Inflammasome, Klebsiella, ARM, NLRP3, AIM2 Professor Jose Bengoechea Supervisor Professor Jose Bengoechea Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Modulating endothelial cell crosstalk within tissues to delay and/or reverse ageing School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Ageing / Aging, Senescence, Endothelial cell, Vascular biology, Cell communication Professor Reinhold Medina Supervisor Professor Reinhold Medina Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Prognosis of second primary breast cancer in breast cancer patients School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Prognosis; breast cancer; second primary Dr Finian Bannon Supervisor Dr Finian Bannon Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Improving cancer patient survival estimates derived from small samples School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Survival statistics; small samples; cancer registry; population-based Dr Finian Bannon Supervisor Dr Finian Bannon Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Estimating cancer waiting time statistics with a time-to-event methodology School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cancer; waiting times; time-to-event; competing risks Dr Finian Bannon Supervisor Dr Finian Bannon Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

To investigate the role of histamine in the regulation of neutrophil phagocytosis School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Neutrophils, histamine, phagocytosis, inflammation, Immunology Dr Karim Dib Supervisor Dr Karim Dib Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Generating human diabetic blood vessel organoids as a powerful model to investigate and treat the diabetic vasculopathy. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Diabetes; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Vascular Complications; Blood vessel organoids; Cell Repro Professor Andriana Margariti Supervisor Professor Andriana Margariti Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

TARGETING DNA METHYLATION AS A NOVEL APPROACH TO RESTORE ENDOTHELIAL COLONY-FORMING CELL ANGIOGENIC DYSFUNCTION IN ISCHAEMIC DISEASE School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cardiovascular disease, endothelium, progenitor cells, epigenetics, DNA methylation Professor David Grieve Supervisor Professor David Grieve Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Using computational biology and transcriptional data to identify signalling that contributes to cancer progression School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Translational bioinformatics, cancer research, computationa Dr Philip Dunne Supervisor Dr Philip Dunne Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Allosteric targeting of the prostaglandin receptor EP2 to promote neuroprotection against excitoxicity. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Excitotoxicity, neuroprotection, prostaglandin receptor, computational biology, biosensors Dr Bianca Plouffe Supervisor Dr Bianca Plouffe Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Investigating the importance of where we live on dementia risk and brain health using novel geospatial, satellite and multi-omic data sources and technologies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD - Healthy ageing; - Dementia; - Urban environment; - Physical activity - Data science - Multi-omic Professor Bernadette McGuinness Supervisor Professor Bernadette McGuinness Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Development of novel small molecule inhibitors of Gremlin1, a pathogenic driver of diabetic kidney disease School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Gremlin1 (GREM1), Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), Diabetic kidney disease, Drug discovery, Molec Dr Derek Brazil Supervisor Dr Derek Brazil Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Identifying medications associated with cancer risk School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Epidemiology, statistics, medication, data, cancer Prof Chris Cardwell Supervisor Prof Chris Cardwell Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Women Empowerment through Investing in Zanzibari Craftswomen’s Eyesight (WE-ZACE) School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Presbyopia, low-and middle income countries, global eye health, vision impairment, refractive error Dr Ving Fai Chan Supervisor Dr Ving Fai Chan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Dissecting the molecular basis for malaria-linked blood vessel pathology in the brain and retina School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cerebral Malaria, Vascular Biology, Central Nervous System, Molecular cell biology Prof Alan Stitt Supervisor Prof Alan Stitt Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

How does heterogeneity in HPV expression influence the tumour microenvironment of oropharyngeal cancers? School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Oropharyngeal Cancer, HPV, Tumour Microenvironment, Molecular Pathology, Digital Image Analysis, Coh Dr. Stephanie Craig Supervisor Dr. Stephanie Craig Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Understanding factors associated with childhood vaccine coverage: a population-based data linkage study School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Epidemiology, vaccine hesitancy, data analyst, Public Health, vaccine uptake Dr Lynsey Patterson Supervisor Dr Lynsey Patterson Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Closed | 2

Investigation of the role of the Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 in diabetic retinopathy School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Diabetic retinopathy, FPR2, Müller glial cells Dr Bianca Plouffe Supervisor Dr Bianca Plouffe Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Remote assessment for clinical trials and healthcare: Exploring the usefulness of remote spirometry School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Remote spirometry, Clinical trials, Outcome assessment Professor Judy Bradley Supervisor Professor Judy Bradley Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Implementing effective food policy change in Northern Ireland – the schools setting School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Schools; food; food policy; core outcome set; environment Professor Jayne Woodside Supervisor Professor Jayne Woodside Funding Funded CASE Studentship Application deadline 29 September 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1759104000

Characterising and valuing of health impacts of the transition to zero emission technologies in the public transport sector School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Net zero; transport; health; engineering Professor Ruth Hunter Supervisor Professor Ruth Hunter Funding Funded Collaborative Studentship Award Application deadline 22 September 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1758499200

Targeting USP7-PRC1 axis as a novel therapeutic approach in drug resistant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dr Yaser Atlasi Supervisor Dr Yaser Atlasi Funding Funded LLNI Application deadline 10 October 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1760054400

Investigating the specificity and primary predictive value of the clinical diagnostic criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (InSpecT-DLB) School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD dementia, neurodegeneration, phenotyping, biomarkers, epidemiology, neuroscience Dr Joseph Kane Supervisor Dr Joseph Kane Funding Funded Lewy Body Society Application deadline 13 October 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1760313600

Investigating the environmental aetiology of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in East Africa School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD cancer epidemiology; prevention; global health; oesophageal cancer Dr Dan Middleton Supervisor Dr Dan Middleton Funding Funded DfE Collaborative Studentship Application deadline 6 October 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1759708800

Multiomic biomarkers associated with kidney disease School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Kidney; Biomarker; Molecular; Epidemiology; Epigenetic Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Supervisor Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Multiomic signatures associated with healthy ageing and age-related conditions School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Ageing, public health, healthy ageing, artificial intelligence, biomarker Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Supervisor Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Rare Diseases: improving molecular diagnosis, supporting people to live with rare diseases, and improving access to rare disease therapies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Rare Disease; Genetic; Artificial Intelligence; Registry; Epidemiology Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Supervisor Professor Amy-Jayne McKnight Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Development of a novel screening platform for identification of drug targets in oesophageal cancer School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Kienan Savage Supervisor Professor Kienan Savage Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Development of B-Cell Cloning for the Isolation of High-Affinity Antibodies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dr Dessi Malinova Supervisor Dr Dessi Malinova Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Development of novel phage display platforms for the development to diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Data Integration and Platform Strategy for Precision Medicine at the Future Medicines Institute (FMI) School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dr Sarah Maguire Supervisor Dr Sarah Maguire Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Next generation ADCs with enhanced anti-tumour efficacy: Development and profiling of novel multimeric ADC formats for improved payload delivery to cancer cells. School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Development of Novel ADC linkers for Next Generation Therapeutics School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dr Rich Williams Supervisor Dr Rich Williams Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Development of “beyond cysteine” covalent chemical probes and their application in next generation therapeutics School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

New methodologies for the effective synthesis of novel molecular glues (MGs) using flow chemistries School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Molecular Glue Modelling with AlphaFold3 School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Engineering Protein Fate Through Next Generation Covalency School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Christopher Scott Supervisor Professor Christopher Scott Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 1 August 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1754006400

Role Of The Microglia Circadian Clock In Neuroinflammation In Early Diabetic Retinopathy School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD microglia, circadian clock, diabetic retinopathy, Bmal1, neuroinflammation Dr Eleni Beli Supervisor Dr Eleni Beli Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Discovering Novel Anti-Angiogenic Strategies With In Vitro Tumour Vessel Models School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Tumour angiogenesis, Antisense oligonucleotides, 3D neovascularisation models Dr Guilherme Costa Supervisor Dr Guilherme Costa Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Precision Approaches To Treatment Of Respiratory Viral Infections In Children School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Children's respiratory health, Oral corticosteroids, wheeze, biomarker discovery, multi-omics Dr Helen Groves Supervisor Dr Helen Groves Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Early Pathogenesis Of Retinal Ischaemic Diseases: Mechanisms And Therapeutic Targets School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Retina, Ischaemia, Vascular biology, Diabetic Retinopathy Dr Judith Lechner Supervisor Dr Judith Lechner Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Comparative Transcriptomic Profiling Of Glymphatic And Gliovascular Cell–Cell Communication In Health And Disease School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD retina, diabetic retinopathy Dr Karis Little Supervisor Dr Karis Little Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Molecular Mechanisms Of Bacterial Competition In The Gut Microbiome And Their Influence On Chronic Intestinal Inflammation School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Microbiome, inflammation, synthetic biology, pathobionts Dr David Cisneros Supervisor Dr David Cisneros Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Phd Opportunity In Genetics: Tackling Antibiotic Resistance School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD antimicrobial resistance, genetics, Shigella, CRISPR-Cas Dr David Cisneros Supervisor Dr David Cisneros Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Understanding The Mechanism Of Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Drug Resistance In Multiple Myeloma School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Multiple Myeloma, Extracellular vesicles, therapy resistance Dr Lisa Crawford Supervisor Dr Lisa Crawford Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

The Role Of Secondary Bile Acids In Lung Infection And Inflammation School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Bile acids, lung innate immunity, lung infection Dr Aoife Rodgers Supervisor Dr Aoife Rodgers Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Unfunded | Dentistry | Open | 2

Using Molecular Biomarkers of Aging to Decode Health Inequalities School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Biomarkers, aging, sex-inequalities, omics, age-related diseases, kidney disease Dr Claire Hill Supervisor Dr Claire Hill Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Evaluating mechanisms of effect of anakinra in ARDS School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Dr Andrew Boyle Supervisor Dr Andrew Boyle Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Characterisation of mechanisms of response and resistance in lower gastrointestinal cancers School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Cancer Radiotherapy Response Immune Microbiome Dr Catherine Hanna Supervisor Dr Catherine Hanna Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Role of Mitochondria in cause-specific models of Acute Kidney Injury School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Professor Charuhas Thakar Supervisor Professor Charuhas Thakar Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Metagenomics to guide precision medicine in ARDS School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Acute respiratory distress syndrome, precision medicine Dr Dermot Linden Supervisor Dr Dermot Linden Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Investigating rational combination therapies in myelproliferative neoplasms School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Combination treatments, Interferon alpha Dr Graeme Greenfield Supervisor Dr Graeme Greenfield Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

X-ray irradiation plus neprilysin inhibition in cardiac cells School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Radiation, cardiotoxicity, sacubitrilat, natriuretic peptides, cardiomyocytes Dr Gerard Walls Supervisor Dr Gerard Walls Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Investigating the role of RUNX1 in mediating retinal fibrosis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, tractional retinal detachment, retinal fibrosis, RUNX1 Dr Michael O'Hare Supervisor Dr Michael O'Hare Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Development and preclinical evaluation of novel targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies for advanced prostate cancer School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Prostate cancer, Targeted alpha (α)-emitting therapies, radionuclides, lead-212, molecular targets Dr Victoria Dunne Supervisor Dr Victoria Dunne Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Transcriptomic phenotypes in critical illness: an integrative precision medicine bioinformatics approach School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Intensive care, critical care, precision medicine, bioinformatics Professor Danny McAuley Supervisor Professor Danny McAuley Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

Utilising administrative data to explore prevalence, disparities and determinants of small vulnerable newborn births in NI School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD Administrative data, routinely-collected health data, population data science, data linkage Dr Lisa Kent Supervisor Dr Lisa Kent Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 8 December 2025 | School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | Funded | Dentistry | Closed | 2 | 1765152000

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Entrance requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Shortlisting may include consideration of additional qualifications and research experience. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £28,900

International | £28,900

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas