Overview
Applications are invited for funded 4-year PhD studentships starting in October 2027, as part of a new British Heart Foundation (BHF) doctoral training programme focused on preventing cardiovascular disease through innovative, data-driven approaches.
This interdisciplinary PhD programme brings together leading researchers from the University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford. Students will be trained to work at the intersection of population health, systems biology, and data science/AI, combining expertise across these fields to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in global health. By harnessing large-scale multimodal data and emerging technologies, students will develop new approaches to understand, predict, and prevent heart and circulatory diseases. provide'.
Educational Aims
Projects will span a range of topics including health data science, AI and machine learning, multi-omics, epidemiology, and translational cardiovascular research. Students will be part of a cohort-based programme, gaining access to shared training activities, collaborative networks, and state-of-the-art data resources across the multi-institute partnership.
Learning Outcomes
This four-year PhD programme combines interdisciplinary training with in-depth research. In year 1, students will undertake training courses and research rotations (at their host institution) before selecting their PhD project and supervisory team. In years 2-4, students will carry out their PhD research with interdisciplinary supervision. Additional opportunities will include advanced training courses, programme-wide workshops and symposia, and optional placements with our academic or industry partners, including EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Genomics Ltd, Owlstone Medical, ThermoFischer Scientific and Flagship Pioneering.
Funding
The studentship provides:
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University tuition fees (UK home rate only)
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A tax-free stipend at the BHF rate
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Research training and support
We invite applications from students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees). International students who are able to confirm that additional costs of all overseas tuition fees will be covered through other scholarships or funding schemes will also be considered.
Assessment
The PhD is assessed by submission of a thesis and oral examination.
The thesis should not exceed 60,000 words (or 80,000 by special permission of the Degree Committee). These limits exclude figures, photographs, tables, appendices and bibliography.
The content and format of the thesis should be discussed with your supervisor.
Other Assessment
All PhD students are probationary in their first year and are required to undergo formal assessment (by written report and viva) at the end of their first year, which they must pass.
If successful, the student moves from being 'probationary' to being formally registered for the PhD and can proceed with their project.
There is also an informal assessment to check on the student's progress at the end of the second year. All year 1-3 PhD students are encouraged to present their work at the Department's annual PhD presentation days in June.
Application Process
*Please note applications are not yet open for 2027 entry
Start date: October 2027
To apply, please email ps.phdadmin@medschl.cam.ac.uk with the following documents. Please also ensure that you include the reference from the University HR Studentships portal into the subject of the email.
· Curriculum vitae (CV)
· Two letters of recommendation from your referees
· A cover letter (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the PhD programme and indicating your preferred host institutions in order of preference. Please list only institutions that you would be willing to attend if offered a place, even if they are not your first choice.
Application deadline: TBC