How to Apply for a PhD Studentship

We are seeking highly motivated, ambitious and able scientists and engineers who want to conduct an exciting industry-linked PhD research project as part of our CDT cohort training programme for future leaders in organ-chip technology and related fields. 

Applications for additional PhD studentships starting in September 2026 are OPEN (closes 13th May) 

Applications for studentships starting in 2027 will open in November 2026

See the step-by-step guide  to help complete your application.

Who should apply?

We are looking for students who have an enthusiasm for organ-on-a-chip technologies, with a range of backgrounds including biology, biochemistry, genetics, materials science, biomedical engineering and other related subjects.  Students should have some experimental background and enthusiasm for working in the laboratory.  Applicants are not expected to have experience in all elements of this field; training will be provided as part of the PhD to support the development of important skills.

What is being offered?

This fully funded 4-year PhD training programme will give students the skills and experience to take up a wide range of exciting careers in this rapidly expanding area. Applicants should have an appropriate science or engineering degree or other relevant qualifications in areas such as biomedical engineering, natural sciences, biomedical science, engineering, biology, chemistry etc. We welcome applicants who have or are predicted an upper second or first class Honours Bachelors degree as well as those with a Masters degree. 

The successful applicants will be fully funded (fees and stipend). For 2026/27,  the annual stipend rate, including London Allowance, will be £23,805.

Supervision of PhD students will be led by staff within the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models which spans across the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry with individual PhD projects covering research topics linked to our world leading research and industry partners.  

Application process

Applying to this EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ on a Chip Technologies (COaCT) programme will be via our QMUL applications portal. See the step-by-step guide to help complete your application.  Queries may be addressed to sems-coact-admissions@qmul.ac.uk .  You may contact individual supervisors for more details on their projects, but this is not part of the selection process.  Applications will be made for the CDT in Next Generation Organ on a Chip Technologies programme.

Applicants will be reviewed on motivation, qualifications, experience, and potential to undertake a PhD. Stage 1 consists of completing the QMUL admissions application to inform us of your qualifications and relevant experience, your motivation for applying for a studentship in this Centre for Doctoral Training. Please see the step-by-step guide for further information on the application process.

Please note that we are using an anonymous application process, which means at Stage 1 shortlisting, the review panels will not view any personal data on the candidate. This is so that reviewers will not be biased (intentionally or unintentionally) by knowledge of ‘protected characteristics’ for example your age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief.

Applications will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be contacted by email and progress through to online interviews (Stage 2) with selected academics.

Final checks on academic qualifications, English language requirements and fee status will be made and your references will be requested before formal offers are made.

Queen Mary University of London is committed to making equality, diversity and inclusion an integral component of University life and strongly encourages applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of their personal circumstances. We particularly welcome applicants from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, as they are under-represented nationwide in STEM roles.  

Eligibility

This guidance is for students who will be recruited to start from the 2026/27 academic year.  These EPSRC CDT studentships are fully funded providing a 4 year stipend (living costs) and fees at the level set for UK home students.  There will be a maximum of one place for a student with an International fee status, full fees and the standard stipend will be included.

To be treated as a home student, candidates must meet one of these criteria: 

  • be a UK national (meeting residency requirements)
  • have settled status
  • have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
  • have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

We do not normally accept reapplications but anyone who feels their cv has significantly improved should contact sems-coact-admissions@qmul.ac.uk,  providing relevant details, such as the publication of a paper, additional practical experiences etc.

Timelines

Application deadline close: 13 May 2026

Shortlisted students emailed: 22 May 2026

On-line Interviews: 8 - 12 June 2026

Applicants informed of outcome: 3 July 2026

Programme start date: 28 September 2026

PhD student research