Funding

Funding is often secured through Wellcome Trust or MRC DTP Fellowships. Further information about this and specific projects studying under the supervision of Departmental supervisors who have obtained funding are advertised below.

For up-to-date information on tuition fees, please refer to the College's Fees and Funding pages. It should be noted that supervisors may charge an additional ‘bench fee’ from sponsors to cover the costs of laboratory expenses (consumables and equipment) for postgraduate research projects.‌‌

Engineering human cells to propagate fluorescent prions for live monitoring of prion infection dynamics and in situ prion structure determination

The molecular mechanisms underlying prion protein (PrPC) conversion into infectious prion assemblies are poorly understood due to the lack of tools for real-time tracking of prion propagation at sufficient resolution. To advance our understanding of pathogenic pathways related to human prion diseases at the nanoscale level, it is essential to develop a fluorescent tagging method that can label prions under live, native conditions. This approach will help capture intermediate states and transient interactions with cellular factors that may be relevant to human prion diseases.

The project will utilise genetic code expansion (GCE) technology to site-specifically incorporate a fluorescently-taggable non-canonical amino acid (ncAA) into ovine (sheep) PrP expressed in human nerve-like cells devoid of endogenous (human) PrP for safety reasons.  Previous work in the Manka lab involved incorporating an ncAA-compatible with tetrazine-based click chemistry into PrPC in mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells and primary mouse cortico-hippocampal neurons, resulting in a fluorescently labelled PrPC with only a single amino acid modification that supported mouse prion propagation (manuscript in preparation). Building on this success, we aim to implement the same technology in human cell lines that can be differentiated into functional neurons, for increased relevance to human prion diseases. 

To find out more about the lab, visit: mankalab.org

Award

• Fully funded 3-year studentship
• Start date of October 2025

Eligibility

• Applicants must have or expect to gain the equivalent of a UK Upper Second class or higher undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, including (but not limited to) molecular biology or biochemistry. A Masters degree is desirable but not essential. Applicants are also required to meet Imperial College’s English language requirements. Please see more information here.
• We welcome applications from all backgrounds and especially from those that are currently underrepresented within academic research.

Application

Please send your CV, a cover letter and details of at least two referees to smanka@ic.ac.uk by 18 May 2025, inclusive.

In the cover letter, please explain:

• What motivates you to do scientific research and pursue a PhD
• Why you are interested in this project and our lab
• Your qualities, skills and any experience that has helped prepare you to start a PhD.

For further details, please download the Manka Lab PhD advert here or contact Dr Manka at smanka@ic.ac.uk 

The David Holden PhD Studentship in Bacterial Pathogenesis

Applications are now open for the inaugural David Holden PhD Studentship in Bacterial Pathogenesis, based in the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London.

This prestigious studentship celebrates the scientific impact of Emeritus Professor David Holden FRS, the first Regius Professor of Infectious Disease in the UK and a pioneer in bacterial pathogenesis. The Holden lab at Imperial developed groundbreaking techniques, such as 'signature-tagged mutagenesis,' to understand the molecular mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. This PhD studentship aims to continue this tradition, providing world-class training in bacterial pathogenesis.

 The Department of Infectious Disease is at the forefront of research into bacterial pathogenesis. Our work ranges from deciphering the molecular mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease and exploring how the immune system and microbiome defend against infections, to developing innovative solutions to antimicrobial resistance. (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/infectious-disease/research/). The department offers excellent training and a strong community network for PhD students. Students receive cutting-edge training in bacterial pathogenesis and infection biology, within an open, friendly, and supportive environment.

Award

• Full funding for home student fees
• A stipend of £21,237 per annum for 3.5 years

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold a First Class or an Upper Second-Class degree in a relevant scientific discipline. 
• We would normally expect successful applicants to hold or be on course too achieve a Master's degree in a related field.
• Applicants must also meet Imperial College’s English language requirements – further details can be found at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/requirements/english/. All Imperial College London PhD entry requirements must be met.

Application

• Please send your CV and a covering letter describing your suitability for the studentship, your areas of interest in bacterial pathogenesis, and potential labs you would like to work in. Include the details of two referees and send your application to Dr Thomas Clarke at thomas.clarke@imperial.ac.uk.
• Shortlisted candidates will be given a list of available projects and invited to interview at Imperial. During the interview, candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their research interests and speak to potential supervisors.
• The deadline for application is 31/01/25 and the proposed start date is October 2025.
• The successful applicant will subsequently need to apply online.

The President’s PhD Scholarship

Award

• Full funding for tuition fees
• A stipend of £25,150 per annum to assist with living costs 
• A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
• A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School

Eligibility

• Includes First Class UK degree or equivalent. If a Master's is held, it must be awarded with Distinction
• The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible to be considered for a President's PhD Scholarship
• The Department will only be considering applicants with a Home fee status for this year.

• Prior to applying - Applicants must have made contact with a supervisor who has agreed to supervise their research project. Supervisors are limited to supervise one student at any time. Once you have a supervisor who has agreed to support you, please email Khalil Afzal k.afzal@imperial.ac.uk so your PhD scholarship application can be prioritised for review and shortlisting.

Application

• There is not a specific scholarship application form. You should submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through the online admissions system and the department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential. Queries about the online admissions system should be referred to the relevant Admissions team.
• Prior to applying applicants must have made contact with a supervisor who has agreed to supervise their research project. Supervisors are limited to supervise one student at any time.
• Full details are available on The President’s PhD Scholarship application section.

Read more about our current PhD funding opportunities

Imperial College’s Scholarships Search Tool

Other scholarships may be available for students with particular track records and nationalities, and it is advised that this tool is used to help search for available scholarships.