Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing PhD / MPhil / MD
Program Overview
Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing PhD / MPhil / MD
The Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing research degree offers the opportunity to undertake a multi-disciplinary research project in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. You'll explore the application of novel imaging and analytical approaches to the study of normal physiology and disease mechanisms, leading to new detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches to human disease.
Introduction
The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge and clinical research across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Programmes of work across ISMIB are varied and are led by world experts in their fields.
Research Topics
Research topics you could specifically focus on include:
- Monitoring organ structure and function in health and disease, including the kidney, liver, neuro/central nervous system, and imaging cancer
- Tracking cells labelled with contrast agents such as Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), for example stem cell tracking
- Development and characterisation of novel contrast agents for increased sensitivity and specificity towards early detection of cancer
- Development of theragnostic agents for treatment of cancer
- Application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess electrical conductivity of body tissues
- Development of novel imaging methods including PET and MRI to assess metabolic changes in a chick embryo model of cancer
- Developing cutting-edge, high-resolution imaging of organoids
- Developing strategies for evaluating the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine therapies
- Utility of diffusion weighted imaging and spectroscopy to assess response to gene therapy, for example for brain tumours and for detection of apoptotic cell death in vivo
- Studying models of memory disorders, schizophrenia and autism.
How to Apply
- Identify potential supervisors: It's useful to contact potential supervisors before you begin your application. Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology for details of potential supervisors.
- Prepare your application documents: You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
- A research proposal (this should cover the research you'd like to undertake)
- University transcripts and degree certificates to date
- Passport details (international applicants only)
- English language certificates (international applicants only)
- A personal statement
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two proposed supervisors
- Names and contact details of two referees.
- Apply: Finally, register and apply online.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
- UK fees: Full-time place, per year - £5,238; Part-time place, per year - £2,619
- International fees: Full-time place, per year - £32,200; Part-time place, per year - £16,100
Additional Costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Funding Your PhD
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
- Duncan Norman Research Scholarship: If you're awarded this prestigious scholarship, you'll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
- John Lennon Memorial Scholarship: If you're a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Facilities and Resources
The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology is situated primarily across the University's north campus, including the Biosciences, Sherrington, William Henry Duncan and Waterhouse Buildings. Researchers benefit from access to world-class equipment and facilities via the Liverpool Shared Research Facilities, many of which are based within the Institute.
Careers and Employability
Career Support from Day One to Graduation and Beyond
Once you graduate after completing your PhD, you'll gain free access to Prosper to help you unlock your potential and kickstart your postdoctoral research career.
Enhance Your Skills
As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Liverpool, you have access to an exciting portfolio of development opportunities, designed to support your ongoing success and help you realise your ambitions.
Expert Careers Advice
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in planning for your future career.
Meet Our PhD Researchers
These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.
Entry Requirements
You'll normally be expected to hold both:
- A UK honours degree, or overseas equivalent, at 2:1 or above, in a relevant subject
- A UK master's degree, or overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject.
English Language Requirements
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you're from a majority English speaking country.
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19.
- Pearson PTE Academic: 61 overall, with no component below 59
Pre-sessional English
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course? The length of Pre-sessional English course you'll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.