Multiple Phd Positions At University Of Leicester

The University of Leicester advertises a range of fully funded PhD scholarships for entry in September 2026, supported by prestigious funding bodies including the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) joint scheme, and the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Transformation of Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT). These opportunities are designed to attract outstanding candidates who wish to pursue doctoral research in an interdisciplinary and supportive environment.

Among the highlighted projects are those within the BHF Research Centre, which focuses on three interconnected themes: Discovery (genetics and disease risk), Interventions (translating laboratory findings to clinical practice), and Populations (links between cardiovascular disease and other common conditions). Specific projects include precision cardiovascular phenotyping in transgender populations, understanding symptom treatment and management in chronic kidney disease, and machine‑learning‑driven imaging of cardiac microstructure in diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Beyond cardiovascular science, the university advertises PhD topics in energy storage and materials, such as the direct recycling of lithium‑ion batteries using novel nanoemulsions, a project that sits at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental sustainability. Additional projects span distributed algorithms, reversible concurrent systems, digital humanities (e.g., Space Stories at the National Archives), and advanced manufacturing.

All studentships provide a tax‑free stipend at the UKRI rate (approximately £18,600 per annum for the 2026/27 academic year), full coverage of tuition fees, and a research consumables budget. Some awards also include allowances for conference attendance, specialist training, and overseas fieldwork where relevant. The funding is typically guaranteed for three years, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory progress.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the listed supervisors informally before submitting a formal application. Applications are made via the University’s online postgraduate research portal, where candidates must upload a CV, cover letter, degree certificates and transcripts, and, where required, a research proposal. The deadline for the BHF‑funded Cardiovascular Sciences PhD is 2 July 2026, with a start date of 21 September 2026; other schemes may have varying deadlines, so candidates should check the individual project pages.

The University of Leicester Doctoral College offers a comprehensive programme of professional development, including training in research integrity, public engagement, entrepreneurship, and career planning. Graduates of these PhD programmes have gone on to secure postdoctoral positions, lectureships, and senior roles in academia, industry (particularly in pharmaceuticals, energy, and technology), healthcare organisations, and government agencies.