Queen's University of Belfast - Medical Faculty
PhD in Experimental Medicine
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences trains ~250 postgraduate research students undertaking Ph.D., MD, and MPhil degrees in Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, Medical Education, and Dentistry. Its diverse postgraduate student population comprises both basic and clinical scientists from across the globe engaged in wide-ranging research projects spanning the breadth of the School’s research portfolio from traditional epidemiology to 'big data science and bioinformatics, through molecular and cell biology to clinical trials.
Subject Summary
As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences you will join a vibrant research community addressing key global healthcare challenges. You will work closely with academic and postdoctoral staff as a central and highly-valued component of the School’s research program, thereby contributing to key discoveries in disease mechanisms which are translated towards innovative prevention and therapeutic strategies which will ultimately improve the quality of life and survival of patients. A direct translation of research findings from bench to bedside is facilitated by close collaborative interaction between clinical and basic research scientists as a hallmark of our research program, allowing the direct translation of excellent science to clinical benefit.
Medicine Highlights
Industry Links
The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences promotes close collaborative interaction with local and global biotechnology companies, such as Almac and Randox. Such relationships are underpinned by innovative discovery science and its clinical application and have resulted in the development of novel diagnostic/prognostic applications and therapies.
Career Development
The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate program trains students in both research-specific and generic skills towards the promotion of professional development. Students may also avail of career development advice at the School's annual Postgraduate Research Forum, through its peer mentoring program, and as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. The QUB Graduate School also provides wide-ranging opportunities for career development which complement School-specific postgraduate research training.
World Class Facilities
As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally excellent or world-leading, whilst Queen’s was ranked joint 1st in the UK for research intensity. Queen’s is ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.
Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences will undertake their research projects within the Institute of Health Sciences which has benefitted from significant recent investment (>£100M) and boasts state-of-art facilities and technology.
Student Experience
The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences provides a vibrant environment for postgraduate research training. There are currently ~250 students undertaking wide-ranging basic science and clinical research projects who work closely together with postdoctoral and academic staff across the Institute of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to interact both within and across disciplines through formal and informal School events, many of which are student-led.
Admissions
Curriculum
The Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) is committed to research excellence by making scientific breakthroughs in the mechanisms of disease, which we translate to innovative therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. We are an international hub of excellence on eye disease, infectious diseases, and respiratory diseases with a core emphasis on immunology, molecular cell biology, and patient-based investigations. WWIEM comprises three main research themes focussed on Immunology and Microbes, Respiratory Medicine, and Vision and Vascular Medicine. Our Immunobiology and Microbes research group focusses on understanding the immune system which is essential for the defense of the human body, not only in preventing a wide variety of diseases but also aiding recovery from them. Our Respiratory Medicine research group focuses on understanding the processes that lead to common lung illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our Vision and Vascular Medicine research group particularly focuses on inflammation within the cardiovascular system as a frequent cause of cardiac and other vascular diseases which represent a significant health burden on society. Our work makes an important impact in the fight against conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease.
Scholarships and Funding
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2023 to apply for a scholarship. Find out more by contacting the university.
Career Opportunities
The majority of postgraduate research students within the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences continue to successfully secure appropriate employment upon completion of their studies. Chosen careers are generally relevant to their qualification within industry, academia, and the National Health Service and have included postdoctoral research across the world, clinical/non-clinical academia, return to full-time clinical work, medical writing, industry research, management/financial consultancy, and R&D software development. The School runs a dedicated careers session at its annual Postgraduate Research Forum and careers-focussed peer mentoring from postdoctoral researchers whilst students are expected to discuss potential careers with their supervisors as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.
Employment after the Course
All postgraduate research students can avail of career advice from the Graduate School whilst postdoctoral employment opportunities are highlighted at the annual School Postgraduate Research Forum within a dedicated session. Students should also discuss potential careers with their supervisors as a central focus of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.