PhD Studentship: Severe mental illness, inflammation and cardiometabolic health
Explore the genetic links between severe mental illness, inflammation, and cardiometabolic health in a four-year MRC-funded PhD.
Best for:Best for aspiring researchers with a strong background in genetics, statistics, or biomedical sciences interested in genetic epidemiology and mental health.
Overview
The University of Exeter is offering a four-year PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, focusing on the complex relationships between severe mental illness, inflammation, and adverse metabolic health outcomes. Funded by the MRC, the project utilizes big data and novel genetic epidemiological techniques across large global biobanks to test hypotheses regarding inflammation. The successful candidate will train across three world-leading centers, gaining specialized interdisciplinary skills in immunology, statistics, and genetic epidemiology. Applicants are expected to engage fully in this collaborative doctoral training environment and contribute to cutting-edge biomedical research.
What you'll do
- Investigate the relationships between severe mental illness, inflammation, and metabolic outcomes using large global biobanks
- Apply novel genetic epidemiological techniques to big data sets
- Participate in research training across three participating partner centers
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary supervisory team across immunology, statistics, and epidemiology
- Prepare research findings for presentation and publication
Requirements
Degree required: BSc or equivalent in a relevant biomedical, statistical, or related scientific field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English
Instruction: English
- Background in biomedical sciences, psychology, computer science, or statistics
- Interest in genetic epidemiology and large-scale data analysis
- Capacity for rigorous academic research and cross-institutional training
- Open to UK and international students
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-21
Review the full project details and eligibility criteria on the external funding portal. Submit your application and required documents through the provided institutional application link before the deadline.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters
Contact
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