PhD Research Studentships
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ on a Chip Technology (COaCT)
Supervisor: | Julia SHELTON |
Apply by: | 9 June 2025 |
Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Two fully funded 4-year studentships are available for home fee status students.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ on a Chip Technology (COaCT) is a 4-year PhD cohort training programme, co-delivered with key stakeholders that addresses the major user need for skilled graduates to transform delivery of new medicines using organ-on-a-chip technologies. The CDT offers an opportunity to do a PhD in a highly interdisciplinary environment comprising world-leading researchers and industrial stakeholder partners. Students will, in addition to the research and technical content of their PhD project, learn about concepts of responsible research, innovation and design, and address the regulatory landscape governing safe, ethical use of organ-chips in human therapeutic discovery.
As a PhD student you will participate in pioneering research on a wide range of topics while gaining experience and essential skills in innovation and entrepreneurship, interaction with bioengineering companies and effective communication with the wider society. Students will also benefit from a 1-3 month placement with industrial stakeholder, regular seminars, journal clubs, a Winter School, and a Summer Symposium to foster a strong community and collaborative networks (Link).
This unique training programme provides students with fundamental knowledge and in-depth training in technical Research & Development, technology translation, and essential skills for developing leadership in the organ-on-a-chip field. This training will provide you with tools that will enable you to be able to significantly influence this rapidly expanding field of international significance in the future. The cohort-focused philosophy of our training programme ensures that our graduates learn how to collaborate and think creatively, experience diverse and vibrant research environments and leave QMUL equipped with necessary skills for a future career in academia or industry.
Two studentships developing organ-chip model systems and associated technologies are currently available in the following research areas:
- Development of a dual synovial joint and heart organ-on-a-chip model for investigating heart disease in Rheumatoid arthritis and testing new therapeutics
- Artery-on-a-chip technology to identify patients with life-threatening heart disease
How to apply
All applicants should apply via the Queen Mary University application portal. Details of the application process and eligibility is explained on our CPM website. Please follow the specific process described on our website.
COaCT seeks motivated and ambitious individuals with backgrounds in biomedical science, chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering and other related fields. The PhD studentships are industry-linked and provide a stipend, including a London Allowance of £21,795.
We welcome home fee status applicants who have or are predicted an upper second or first class honours Bachelors degree as well as those with a Masters degree.
If you have any questions regarding the CDT or your application, you can email us on sems-coact@qmul.ac.uk

Funding
Funded by: EPSRCEligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Julia SHELTON.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-663" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
Related website: | https://www.cpm.qmul.ac.uk/cdt/applications/ | |
SEMS Research Centre: | ||
Keywords: | Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Cardiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Tissue Engineering |