Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
343 research degree projects
-
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Targeting the IRES structure of mRNA for modulating gene translation
This project targets mRNA IRES structures of oncogenes using modified oligonucleotides to avoid broad translational inhibition. We will optimise ON modifications, transfection, and efficacy in organoids, focusing on lung and blood cancers. The goal is an adaptable, highly selective technology for precise regulation of multiple oncoproteins. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Synthesis of oligonucleotides and conjugates for targeted inhaled delivery to the lung
This project develops targeted delivery of antisense oligonucleotides for lung diseases such as cancer, asthma, and COPD. Conjugates will target lung cell receptors, with optimised linkers for recognition, transfection, and endosomal release. Designed for lung deposition, the system will be tested in organoid models, enabling novel, animal-free therapies. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Synthesis of building blocks for evolution of polymerases
PCR has transformed DNA research but relies on specialised equipment. This project aims to develop a reversible linkage system forming dynamic oligonucleotide libraries to template DNA replication. The approach will be used to evolve novel ligases and polymerases, ultimately enabling medicinal applications, including targeted therapies for various cancers. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Early fault-tolerant quantum algorithms for drug discovery
This project aims to develop new early fault-tolerant quantum algorithms for drug discovery. You’ll design next-generation quantum algorithms, apply them to binding affinity, free-energy and spectroscopic predictions, and test them on real quantum hardware—advancing foundational theory, practical software development, and quantum use-cases. -
Engineering | Mathematical sciences
Controlling extreme events in fluid dynamics using modern optimization
Extreme bursts in fluid flows are hard to predict and control. This project develops modern optimisation and dynamical-systems tools to understand and limit these events using low-dimensional models. -
Biological sciences
Multimodal AI for Cancer Risk Prediction
Do a PhD as part of the CRUK Cancer Data-Driven Detection (CD3) project, developing advanced AI models that integrate clinical and omic data to improve cancer risk prediction. This PhD program offers training in machine learning, health data science, and multimodal analytics, working closely with clinicians and data scientists to develop next-generation, equitable risk-prediction tools. -
Mathematical sciences
The Mathematics of Deep Bilevel Learning
Deep learning has been a driving force behind the rapid progress of AI for more than a decade, culminating recently in the success of large language models powered by transformer architectures—a class of deep neural networks. In parallel, bilevel optimization has emerged as a powerful framework for modeling complex machine learning tasks, giving rise to what we refer to as deep bilevel learning. This PhD project will investigate the mathematical foundations of deep bilevel learning, with the goal of uncovering structural properties that can be exploited to design more efficient, robust, and explainable learning algorithms. The results have the potential to influence the next generation of AI systems and advance theory at the intersection of optimization and deep learning. -
Mathematical sciences
Impact of climate and political events on financial stability in complex financial networks
Climate and political shocks can trigger clustered defaults across interconnected financial networks. This PhD project will develop deep learning models and network-based stress testing tools to assess how such events impact credit risk and financial stability, using real nationwide microentrepreneur data in a partnership with a leading microfinance institution. -
Health sciences | Geography and environmental science | History
Developing climate change resilience for multiple long-term health conditions: co-creating policy recommendations
This PhD aims to understand how people living with long-term health conditions (LTCs) can better build resilience to climate change. Working with vulnerable communities the researcher will use individual narratives and real-time momentary analysis to establish how LTCs impact adaptive capabilities during weather extremes. -
Ocean and earth science | Geography and environmental science | Politics and international relations
The Volcanic Mind: Lessons from Volcanoes on Trust, Confidence, and Resilience in a Changing World
“The Volcanic Mind” uses volcanic risk reduction as a lens to explore how resilience emerges from the interplay between emotional trust and deliberative confidence in times of crisis. Combining volcanology, social science, political psychology, and creative practice, it reimagines how societies can sustain trust and adaptability in an accelerating world.