EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technology (COaCT)
We are looking to recruit students with a wide range of backgrounds and experience, from modellers, materials scientists, engineers to biologists, chemists and beyond. Apply for studentships:
Applications for additional PhD studentships starting in September 2026 are OPEN (closes 13th May)
There is an urgent unmet need, both in industry and academia, for skilled scientists and bioengineers able to develop appropriate in vitro models, based around organ-chip technology and associated predictive in vitro models. Organ-on-a-chip systems are at the forefront of emerging medical technologies which enable realistic, human-centred models that advance understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses. They are small devices containing living cells, small channels for fluid flow and may also mimic tissue movement. The chips recreate key functional units of organs such as lungs, liver, kidney, heart in a controlled lab environment.
The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) aligns closely with the UK Governments Alternatives Strategy (November 2025) which sets out an ambitious plan to accelerate the adoption of alternative methods that have the potential to replace animals where possible.
The CDT will provide at least 60 industry-linked 4-year PhD studentship over 4 successive cohorts starting in 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. This industry linked training programme will equip students with the skills and knowledge to become future leaders in this rapidly developing multidisciplinary field. The CDT brings together world leading researchers and key industrial stakeholders to train future scientific and technical leaders in this emerging field.
The graduates from the CDT will help advance this exciting technology in order to transform life science research and the medicines development pipeline, delivering safer, more effective therapeutics for the benefit of all society.