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PhD opportunities: University of Liverpool

Compare 63 doctoral research opportunities connected with University of Liverpool, including project summaries, funding and application deadlines.

Artificial Intelligence

Enhancing Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance with AI and Natural Language Processing

University of Liverpool

About the Project This PhD combines veterinary epidemiology, data science and artificial intelligence. It aims to develop innovative methods to extract symptoms and disease from electronic health clinical records and online equine communities/forums. The research will explore early warning systems for endemic and emerging infectious diseases, contributing to modern surveillance tools for equine health and disease outbreak preparedness.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
6 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Artificial Intelligence

Innovating Music Rights: Intellectual Property, Metadata and the Future of the Music Industry

University of Liverpool

About the Project This fully funded PhD studentship, supported by the AHRC MusicFutures Creative Cluster at the University of Liverpool, invites innovative research on music rights data, intellectual property and the digital music ecosystem. The successful candidate will develop an original project while helping translate research into practical metadata capability for music businesses.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
15 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Artificial Intelligence

Multi-modal uncertainty analysis of physiological measurements from wearable devices, for clinical applications

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aims to address the critical gap between the huge potential offered by wearable sensors and their still very limited adoption in clinical practice. This will be achieved by creating scientifically rigorous data processing pipelines that provide users with clear and interpretable information about data accuracy and uncertainty.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
18 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Biochemistry

BBSRC-Unilever (UniDLA) programme: Investigating the Role of Post Translational Modification in Modulating Enzyme Stability and Activity

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aims to investigate the effect of post-translational modifications (PTMs) – particularly glycosylation on protein structure, function, and stability. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins often undergo chemical changes after synthesis, known as PTMs, which include functional group additions that significantly influence their activity, stability, localization, and interactions within cellular processes.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
20 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Biochemistry

Design and Development of Ultra‑Long‑Acting Injectable Depot Technologies for Chronic Viral Infection Therapy

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aims to create an ultra‑long‑acting injectable platform capable of delivering antiviral therapy for months at a time. By overcoming the limitations of current treatments, it offers a transformative approach to managing chronic viral infections and improving global patient outcomes.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
31 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Biochemistry

Livestock Metabolomics: Investigating Metabolic Signatures of Methane Mitigation in Beef Cattle

University of Liverpool

About the Project Research Background Agriculture contributes approximately 27% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Northern Ireland, with ruminant livestock representing the largest source. Enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from cattle account for more than half of farm-gate emissions and remain a major challenge in achieving the UK’s Net Zero targets by 2050.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
31 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Computational Chemistry

Digital and Experimental Mechanochemistry for Next-Generation Elastomers

University of Liverpool

About the Project Apply to join an industrial-academic collaboration developing the mechanistic understanding and predictive tools required to design next-generation high-performance elastomers for demanding industrial and technological applications.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
30 November 2026
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Applied Chemistry

3D-Printed Nitric Oxide-Releasing Stents for Cardiovascular Disease

University of Liverpool

About the Project Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading killer, driven in large part by atherosclerosis and its life-threatening consequences. This PhD will develop next-generation nitric oxide-releasing, 3D-printed vascular stents that restore blood flow while actively reducing thrombosis, inflammation and restenosis, enabling smarter, regenerative and personalised treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bioinformatics

A structural biology approach to understand IMPDH2 rod-ring structures in Embryonic Stem Cells

University of Liverpool

About the Project IMPDH2 is a critical enzyme responsible for the rate limiting step of purine nucleotide biosynthesis. In naïve pluripotent stem cells, it forms large rod-ring structures (RRs) which are hypothesised to control the enzyme’s output when the pool of guanine nucleotides is in high demand. However, whether IMPDH2 interacts with other proteins in these structures is not well defined, and neither is their function during early embryogenesis.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

AI-Driven Structure Prediction for Materials Discovery

University of Liverpool

About the Project The discovery of novel inorganic solid-state materials is essential to advance energy storage, catalysis, semiconductors, and quantum technologies. However, the design and discovery of new materials remain major scientific challenges, and this project aims to address these challenges by developing generative machine learning and AI models to improve crystal structure prediction workflows for inorganic solids.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Computational Physics

AI-powered beam instrumentation for plasma wakefield acceleration

University of Liverpool

About the Project Project Background AWAKE is the world’s first proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment. It utilizes 400 GeV proton bunches from the CERN SPS to drive plasma wakefields with an amplitude of ~ GV/m (which are orders of magnitude higher than conventional accelerators).

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Analytical Chemistry

Advancing Untargeted Metabolomics through a Probabilistic and Context-Aware Annotation Pipeline

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aims to develop a revolutionary AI-powered, "context-aware" pipeline to automate metabolite annotation in untargeted metabolomics data. By pioneering LLMs and Bayesian statistics, this project will transform complex metabolomics data into biological breakthroughs. Metabolite annotation is one of the most pressing challenges in untargeted metabolomics data analysis.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Analytical Chemistry

An electrochemical route to green, decentralised ammonia: Advancing electrolytes and materials for lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction

University of Liverpool

About the Project This PhD project will focus on investigating electrolyte and materials engineering to overcome stability, selectivity, and efficiency challenges in lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction, aiming to realise green, decentralised ammonia production as a sustainable alternative to the highly polluting Haber-Bosch process.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence for Medical Imaging and Biomedical Data Analysis

University of Liverpool

About the Project This PhD project will develop artificial intelligence methods for analysing complex medical imaging and biomedical data. The project will address a defined clinical or biomedical problem using appropriate AI techniques, which may include multimodal learning, spatiotemporal modelling, generative AI, foundation models and interpretable AI. Applications will involve real-world data such as retinal imaging, ultrasound and physiological signals.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Applied Mathematics

Artificial Intelligence–Derived Retinal, ECG and Echocardiographic Biomarkers for Early Detection and Risk Prediction of Heart Failure in Hypertension and Diabetes Clinics

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project develops and validates AI-derived retinal, ECG, echocardiographic, and serum biomarkers to enable early detection and risk prediction of heart failure in patients with hypertension and diabetes.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Neurology

Autoantibody-Autoimmunity in Symptom-Based Disorders

University of Liverpool

About the Project Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is characterised by motor dysfunction without tissue destruction, and its causes are unknown. This project will assess the role of pathogenic IgG serum autoantibodies in causing or contributing to FND and one other symptom-based disorder. This project built on successful work in fibromyalgia syndrome (Goebel et al., 2021 https://www.jci.org/articles/view/144201 ).

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Applied Mathematics

Computational Modelling of the Retinal Microcirculation to Predict Patient Outcomes

University of Liverpool

About the Project Background Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness globally. Current treatments involve the injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. However, many individuals do not respond to treatment, with regular visits required placing a large burden on healthcare systems and patients.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Decoding Myeloid Cell Regulation of Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Response

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aims to decode the diverse roles of myeloid cells within tumour microenvironments, particularly in pancreatic cancer. Using cutting-edge, multidisciplinary approaches, it will uncover how these cells influence disease progression and treatment response, driving new strategies for more effective, personalised cancer therapies.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Developmental Biology

Designing therapeutic approaches for a new group of neurodevelopmental conditions associated with V-ATPase dysfunction

University of Liverpool

About the Project Variants in V-ATPase encoding genes are increasingly linked to neurodevelopmental conditions for which there is no treatment. This project will explore small molecules and RNA-based therapies to combat these devastating conditions. This PhD project will address a major unmet need in rare neurological diseases: the recently identified group of V-ATPase disorders, which currently have no cure and limited diagnostic tools.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Determining metabolic reprogramming events in stem cells in response to inflammatory disease phenotype.

University of Liverpool

About the Project The studentship aims to determine how dysregulation of stem cell metabolism contributes to the impairment of stem cell function and how this can be rescued using healthy allogeneic MSCs to tread chronic diseases associated with ageing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are responsible for the repair of damaged tissue following injury and disease as well as moderating innate and adaptive immune responses and regulation of self-tolerance and tissue homeostasis.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Applied Mathematics

Develop and validate blood-borne lung cancer diagnostic biomarkers with multi-omics data and interpretable AI

University of Liverpool

About the Project Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. We aim to develop and validate blood-borne diagnostic biomarkers to enable early detection to save lives. In Liverpool, we have collected a unique cohort in which matched proteomic, miRNA, and metabolomic profiles were generated from pre-diagnostic plasma samples collected 1–10 years before diagnosis. This offers an exciting PhD opportunity.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bioengineering

Developing an in silico method for restoration of endodontically treated human molar teeth.

University of Liverpool

About the Project The aim of the project is to understand how individual traits like tooth shape and material properties affect the success of various restorations approaches of molar teeth. The proposed PhD project seeks to address the complex, multi-factorial issue of dental caries and its implications that lead to endodontic treatment.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Applied Chemistry

Discovery of Pb-free solders for use in the glass industry

University of Liverpool

About the Project The project, in collaboration with a major industrial partner, will develop state of the art machine learning models to help predict the melting point of Pb-free solder compositions that will then be synthesised for validation and other physical property testing. The legal requirement to remove Pb and other toxic elements from all products is essential for future sustainable chemistry.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Inorganic Chemistry

Discovery of new inorganic materials for net zero applications

University of Liverpool

About the Project The experimental discovery of new inorganic materials shows us how crystal structure and chemical composition control physical and chemical properties. It is therefore critical for our ability to design functional materials with the properties we will need for the next zero transition.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Evolution

Emerging viruses at the animal-human-environment interface

University of Liverpool

About the Project Live animal markets are key interfaces for zoonotic spillover, where viruses circulate between animals and humans. This PhD will investigate the prevalence, evolution, and transmission dynamics of emerging viruses, including avian influenza and coronaviruses, using integrated wet-lab and bioinformatic approaches.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Applied Mathematics

Employing digital twins in the pursuit of real ones: leveraging machine learning to improve assisted reproductive technology outcomes

University of Liverpool

About the Project Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined as a failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse. Infertility is common, affecting 1 in 6 heterosexual couples, and rates are rising, especially with the current trend of delayed childbearing. Infertility can lead to distress, depression, discrimination and ostracism.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Engineering more water-use efficient crops: functional genomics of carbon dioxide fixation during Crassulacean acid metabolism

University of Liverpool

About the Project Study for a PhD that will contribute to the development of novel approaches for engineering more climate-resilient crops that can help with the global food security crisis. You will gain skills in generating and analysing ‘omics datasets from model plants, genetic transformation of plants, and detailed phenotypic characterisation of mutant plants using molecular biology, biochemistry and whole plant physiology techniques.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Examining how post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms affect stem cell function

University of Liverpool

About the Project Unlock the secrets of stem cell function using cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and transcriptomics. This exciting PhD will explore how post-transcriptional gene regulation shapes stem cell behaviour, providing insights for regenerative medicine while developing advanced skills in molecular biology, bioinformatics and data analysis.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Computational Physics

Exploiting Laser Pulse Shaping and Phase Space Tomography to Optimise Longitudinal Beam Dynamics at the Interaction Point of CLARA

University of Liverpool

About the Project Introduction and Motivation The Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications (CLARA) at Daresbury Laboratory places significant emphasis on providing tailored beam properties for a range of user experiments that push the frontiers of accelerator science.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Cell Biology

How does Wnt and Notch (Wntch) signalling coordinate cell fate assignment during gastrulation?

University of Liverpool

About the Project Gastrulation is a pivotal stage in development where an initially uniform mass of cells transforms into an organised structure with distinct cell types arranged along the three body axes. This process depends on a small, evolutionarily conserved set of signalling pathways that guide cell fate decisions. Among these, Wnt and Notch signalling play crucial but often opposing roles.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Endocrinology

Hyperalgesic priming in chronic pain – the role of the stress axes

University of Liverpool

About the Project Chronic pain devastates lives, yet we still don’t fully understand how it takes hold—especially where there’s no clear physical cause. This project will look directly at how stress can prime the peripheral nerves, potentially years before symptoms appear, leaving them in a highly sensitive state to future pain stimuli or ‘triggers’.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Investigating age-related biochemical changes in motor neurons using an induced pluripotent stem cell in vitro model.

University of Liverpool

About the Project The studentship aims to develop an in vitro model of human motor neurons, which can be used to investigate age-related impairment of motor neuron function and identify new treatments that can be used to treat chronic diseases associated with ageing. About this opportunity Human sarcopenia that progresses as an age-related decline in muscle mass and function leads to frailty associated with increased incidence of falls and hospitalisation.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Investigating the Role of Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Transfer of snoRNAs and Ribosomes in Joint Ageing

University of Liverpool

About the Project Ageing causes significant deterioration in musculoskeletal tissues, especially cartilage, contributing to osteoarthritis. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) change with age and may drive cartilage decline by altering ribosome function and transferring regulatory RNA cargo. We propose EV‑mediated snoRNA and ribosomal transport promotes age‑related joint degeneration.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Investigating the functions of Trappc9 in brain development and microcephaly.

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project will analyse the cellular functions of the trafficking protein Trappc9 and how deficiency of Trappc9 causes microcephaly and intellectual disability. You will be able to utilise Trappc9 knock-out mice as well as brain organoid cultures as model systems for investigations into brain development, neuronal and neural stem cell biology.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of resident cardiac stem cells

University of Liverpool

About the Project The studentship aims to characterise human cardiac resident stem cells and their potential for effecting functional cardiac repair. Stem cells of both bone marrow and cardiac origin have been used clinically to affect cardiac repair but with limited success. Improved treatments require methods for maturing differentiating cells toward functional cardiomyocytes and engineering into cardiac-like tissue.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

Leveraging and developing Deep Learning-based methods for experimental structural biology

University of Liverpool

About the Project Deep Learning methods have had a huge recent impact on biology in recent years: for example, AlphaFold 2 and 3 (AF2/3) can predict the structure of most proteins with unprecedent accuracy. However, the limitations of AF2/3 structures are increasingly evident, meaning an ongoing role for experimental structure determination, especially X-ray crystallography which currently accounts for ~60% of deposits.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Applied Mathematics

Leveraging machine learning to improve assisted reproductive technology outcomes for those with endometriosis.

University of Liverpool

About the Project Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined as a failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse. Infertility is common, affecting 1 in 6 heterosexual couples, and rates are rising, especially with the current trend of delayed childbearing.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bacteriology

Leveraging sequencing technologies to advance identification of bacterial pathogens

University of Liverpool

About the Project This four-year PhD project aims to advance sequencing-based bioinformatics methods for identification and characterisation of bacterial pathogens in diverse clinical and surveillance samples. Methodological and knowledge breakthroughs from this study will improve the diagnosis, monitoring, prevention, and control of bacterial infectious diseases, addressing the pressing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Energy Technologies

Machine Learning for Modelling and Optimising Heat Pumps

University of Liverpool

About the Project Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form to apply for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project. Please ensure you include the project title and reference number ENGMAE004 when applying.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Energy Technologies

Machine learning methods for modelling and optimising CO2 heat pumps

University of Liverpool

About the Project Heat represents nearly half of the world's energy consumption and contributes to almost 40% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 requires the installation of approximately 600 million heat pumps annually by 2030. Heat pumps using CO2 as refrigerant will have a pivotal role to play in heat decarbonisation.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Analytical Chemistry

Magnetic Nanobots for Targeted Cancer Therapy

University of Liverpool

About the Project This PhD research focuses on developing magnetic nanobots for targeted cancer therapy. By harnessing externally controlled magnetic fields, these nanoscale devices can navigate to tumour sites, enabling precise drug delivery while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The work aims to improve treatment efficacy, reduce side effects, and advance personalized cancer therapies.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Ceramics

Materials Discovery and Physical Crystallography

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project focuses on discovery of new functional materials for clean energy applications, through experimental synthesis and structure determination using advanced X‑ray and electron diffraction techniques. The student will relate structure to properties such as thermal conductivity and ion transport, working within a multidisciplinary team at Liverpool’s Materials Innovation Factory to develop strong experimental, communication and team-working skills.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Epidemiology

Modelling the Prevention of Cardiometabolic Outcomes and Reducing Health Inequalities

University of Liverpool

About the Project Cardiovasclar disease continues to be a major public health policy challenge and understanding how its unequal health burden can be tackled is a global priority. Cardiometabolic diseases—including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and related multimorbidity—remain leading contributors to premature mortality and widening health inequalities worldwide.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Marine Biology

Morphology, motion, and mechanics of vertebral joints in fish

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project uses fish as a fascinating model system to explore how our spines work so we can keep them healthier for longer. During this project you will learn an interdisciplinary set of skills—spanning anatomy, computer animation, mechanical modelling—for a future career at the interface of biology, engineering, and medicine. We depend on healthy joints to stay active, independent and productive.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Analytical Chemistry

Novel Formulation Strategies for Multi-Drug Delivery Systems to Address Polypharmacy

University of Liverpool

About the Project This PhD project aims to develop next-generation multi-therapy drug delivery systems that address polypharmacy by engineering programmable formulations in a single dose that simplify complex drug regimens and transform care for patients with multiple chronic conditions. This project bridges fundamental pharmaceutical sciences with translational innovation to enhance patient adherence and maximise therapeutics outcomes.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Energy Technologies

Numerical and experimental research on a flexible heat pump system

University of Liverpool

About the Project In the UK, heat constitutes about half of energy consumption. The government plans to install 19 million heat pumps in homes over the coming decades to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the current adoption rate of heat pumps in the UK is low. Challenges persist for heat pump technologies, particularly in the UK. Most of UK homes are connected to the gas grid, relying on gas boilers as the primary heating method.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Analytical Chemistry

Operando Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

University of Liverpool

About the Project As part of new ERC Starting Grant funded by UKRI Horizon Europe guarantee focused on development of operando electrochemical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to be employed to study the fundamental processes that lead to battery degradation as well as study of electron beam damage products in nonaqueous battery electrolytes during cycling.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Cancer Biology

Optimising Cancer Therapy: Understanding how SGLT2 Inhibitors Enhance Neoplastic Efficacy and offer Cardioprotection against immunotherapies.

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project aspires to make immunotherapy safer and more effective by discovering how SGLT2 inhibitors can simultaneously guard the heart and strengthen antitumour immunity. In revealing these mechanisms, we aim to spark a new era of treatment that delivers deeper impact with fewer risks.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Anatomy

Proteomic Signatures of Muscle Resilience: Why Equine Jaw Muscles Resist Age‑Related Decline

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project investigates the equine masticatory apparatus as a unique large animal model for resistance to sarcopenia. By expanding preliminary findings from the masseter to other jaw muscles (temporalis, pterygoids) and comparing them to vulnerable limb muscles, we aim to identify conserved molecular signatures that protect "essential" muscles from age-related decline.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Behavioural Biology

Role of nutrition, and gut function in human health and diseases (sarcopenia, frailty, diabetes and cardiovascular diseas); using metabolomics and genomics

University of Liverpool

About the Project Could what we eat reshape the crosstalk between our gut, muscles and heart as we age? This exciting PhD harnesses cutting-edge metabolomics to decode the nutrition-gut-muscle-heart axis, uncovering biomarkers of healthy ageing and novel targets to prevent age-related cardiovasucal and cardiometabolic disease.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Single-cell proteomic analysis of RNA virus infections

University of Liverpool

About the Project In this project, you will be working to understand how viruses such as coronaviruses, caliciviruses and picornaviruses interact with infected cells, with a focus on single-cell proteomic studies and antiviral resistance. You will learn molecular virology, cell culture assays, and LC-MS/MS proteomic methods alongside bioinformatic analysis in R.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Stabilising the Corneal Stem Cell Niche: LaNt α31 as a Regulator of Epithelial Repair and Regeneration

University of Liverpool

About the Project Discover how a little‑known laminin‑related protein, LaNt α31, shapes the human limbal stem cell niche. Using stem‑cell models, advanced imaging and engineered tissues, this project investigates how the basement membrane controls epithelial identity and explores new therapeutic strategies for corneal repair and regenerative medicine.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Super resolution analysis of basement membrane remodelling and microenvironment signalling in pancreatic cancer.

University of Liverpool

About the Project Using cutting‑edge super‑resolution imaging and cell‑microenvironment models, this project explores how the ECM shapes tumour growth and could reveal new ways to target cancer. We will discover how tiny changes in the structure of the basement membrane can influence how pancreatic cancer cells behave and communicate with their surroundings.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Econometrics

The determinants of sexual orientation inequalities in health.

University of Liverpool

About the Project The PhD aims to develop theoretical models for variation in the demand for health across sexual orientation groups and test hypotheses generated therein. The project will provide insights into the causes of inequalities in health by sexual orientation, helping to drive forward research that could help inform and shape healthcare policy.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

The role of PPFIA1 (Liprin-α1) in pancreatic cancer

University of Liverpool

About the Project Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) remains a lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of ~10%. PDAC progression is associated with profound changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surround and support tumour cells. This project aims to characterise the role of a cell-ECM adhesion-associated protein (Liprin-α1) in PDAC cell biology, using cutting-edge microscopy and mass spectrometry techniques.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

The wrong place at the wrong time: Immune cell-derived serine proteases as drivers of osteoarthritis

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project combines cutting-edge with established methods including activity-based probes, protein biology, ex vivo explant culture, ‘omic data analysis and in vivo models to reveal how serine proteases activate destructive MMP pathways.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

Understanding and mitigating the impact of fraudulent participation on health research

University of Liverpool

About the Project This mixed-methods PhD aims to explore how health researchers experience and address fraudulent participation, aiming to develop practical guidelines to protect research integrity across multiple aspects of Health research. About this opportunity The rapid growth of remote data collection methods and the increased use of artificial intelligence in research have transformed health research practice.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Understanding coronavirus polyprotein processing

University of Liverpool

About the Project In this project, you will be working to understand how coronaviruses replicate, and how this process is shared across multiple coronaviruses. You will learn molecular virology, cell culture assays, and LC-MS/MS proteomics and transcriptomics methods alongside bioinformatic analysis in R. Coronaviruses are the causative agents of recent human pandemics and common human and animal diseases.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Understanding post-translational modifications during viral infection

University of Liverpool

About the Project In this project, you will be working to understand how viruses such as coronaviruses, caliciviruses and picornaviruses interact with infected cells, with a focus on post-translational modifications. You will learn molecular virology, cell culture assays, and LC-MS/MS proteomic methods alongside bioinformatic analysis in R.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

Understanding substrates of viral 3C/3C-like proteases

University of Liverpool

About the Project In this project, you will be working to understand how viruses such as coronaviruses, caliciviruses and picornaviruses interact with infected cells, focusing on substrates of viral proteases. You will learn molecular virology, cell culture assays, and LC-MS/MS proteomic methods alongside bioinformatic analysis in R.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of Wnt and Notch signalling during embryonic development

University of Liverpool

About the Project This project uses cutting-edge 3D gastruloid models to reveal how the integration of Wnt and Notch (Wntch) signalling pathways drives cell fate decisions in the early mammalian embryo. The student will uncover how Wntch controls cell fate and axial development by combining live quantitative imaging, engineered reporter lines, and precise pathway perturbations.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Data Science

Using propensity score weighting in small cluster randomised trials with selection bias

University of Liverpool

About the Project Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating new interventions. This is due to randomisation preventing selection bias and balancing out any known/unknown confounders that may cause systematic differences between trial arms. RCTs are not always feasible however, and it is increasingly common for researchers to access the growing accessibility routine datasets to evaluate the effect of non-randomised exposures to treatments.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Applied Chemistry

mRNA Nanomedicines for Drug-Resistant Pneumonia

University of Liverpool

About the Project Develop a new treatment for multidrug-resistant bacterial pneumonia by delivering antimicrobial peptide mRNA directly to the lungs using anti-inflammatory lipid nanoparticles. This interdisciplinary PhD combines mRNA engineering, nanomedicine, microbiology and immunology to kill resistant bacteria while reducing damaging lung inflammation.

Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only