Researcher working with laboratory equipment

PhD Studentships

In addition to our MRes students there are over 60 postgraduate research students in the Institute.

We offer supervision in the following areas:

Each postgraduate student is attached to a research group and has a supervisor who is responsible for providing intellectual supervision. In addition, we have a formal system of laboratory supervision. A dedicated laboratory advisor is responsible for overseeing training in specific laboratory methodologies and provides general advice on laboratory research. More specific training is provided by the chosen group. Postgraduate students receive regular formal and informal reviews and give research presentations to peer groups.

Projects can be offered in a range of topics. In our research section you can see the range of research groups within the Institute as well as the kind of projects that our PhD students are currently working on.

Postgraduate students also receive support and training from the Faculty of Medical Sciences Graduate School and have access to excellent research facilities within the Institute.

Postgraduate training in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, delivered through the Graduate School, meets the requirements of the Joint Statement of the Research Councils' Skills Training Requirements for Research Students, as informed by the Roberts' Report, by giving students the opportunity to identify and gain skills and proficiencies in the areas of:

  • Research Skills and Techniques
  • Research Environment
  • Research Management
  • Personal Effectiveness
  • Communication Skills
  • Networking and Team working
  • Career Management

All students keep a Research Training Portfolio to allow them to recognise proficiencies and skills gained and developed through their postgraduate training and to identify training needs. The Graduate School runs a training programme for students at all stages in their postgraduate studies.

In Year 1 the training programme includes:

  • Communication Skills
  • Critical Appraisal Skills
  • Library and Information Technology Skills

In Year 2 the training programme includes:

  • Bioethics
  • The Research Environment
  • Promoting Science
  • Poster Presentation
  • Assessing Career Options
  • Teamworking
  • Statistical Methods

In Year 3 the training programme includes:

  • Preparation for a Career in Industry
  • Preparation for a Career in Academia
  • Research Funding
  • Thesis writing
  • Preparation for the Oral Examination

For more information about support during your study please visit the University's postgraduate pages. Current funded PhD studentships are advertised at Newcastle Biomedicine. We welcome applications to all research areas from self funding students.