PhD Studentships at the Living Systems: The Living Systems Institute (LSI) at the University of Exeter is inviting applications for its interdisciplinary PhD Programme. LSI offers fully funded PhD studentships to train the next generation of researchers capable of working across scientific boundaries using cutting-edge technologies. Projects start in September 2025 or January 2026, with multiple application routes available.
🎓 Fully Funded PhD Studentships at the Living Systems Institute (LSI), University of Exeter
📋 Scholarship Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Designation | PhD Student |
| Research Areas | Physics, Biology, Medicine, Engineering, Computational Science, Maths |
| Location | University of Exeter, UK |
| Funding | Fully funded (tuition, stipend, and training budget) |
| Application Deadline | Monday, 9th June 2025 |
| Start Dates | September 2025 / January 2026 |
| Application Routes | LSI-funded, External-funded, or Self-funded |
🧪 Designation
PhD Student
🧬 Research Area
The programme is interdisciplinary, covering:
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Physics of Living Systems
- Computational and Mathematical Modelling
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Quantum Biology
- Genetics & Epigenetics
📍 Location
Living Systems Institute (LSI)
University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
✅ Eligibility / Qualification
- A First or Upper Second-Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
- Masters degree is advantageous but not essential.
- Evidence of research potential and critical thinking.
- Motivation for interdisciplinary scientific research.
📝 Job Description
- Conduct research on one of the selected interdisciplinary projects.
- Collaborate across disciplines with dual or multi-supervisory teams.
- Benefit from:
- Access to advanced research infrastructure at the LSI.
- Interdisciplinary training and cohort-based learning modules.
- Advisory thesis committee and peer-to-peer support.
- Professional development and career preparation activities.
🔍 Available Projects for LSI-Funded PhD Studentships
(Some positions are based in Exeter; check supervisor info for location details)
- Mechanical feedback in organ growth
- Mechanics of optic cup formation
- Control of chromatin remodeller activity
- Acute signalling in pluripotent cells
- Synthetic peptide tools for neuron biology
- Splicing regulators in neuron degeneration
- Cilia function in planarians
- Stem cell signalling in regeneration
- Hormone secretion in live zebrafish
👉 Project and supervisor details available via LSI website.
🧾 How to Apply
Three application routes:
- LSI-funded PhD studentship: Apply via application portal (link on LSI website).
- Externally-funded studentship (e.g., UKRI, CSC): Contact your chosen supervisor and apply via the same portal.
- Self-funded: Contact your potential supervisor and Prof. Steve West (Director of Postgraduate Research) at s.west@exeter.ac.uk
Include:- Your motivation for PhD research.
- Why you chose LSI and the specific project.
- Your source of funding.
📅 Last Date to Apply
Monday, 9th June 2025
If you have any questions, please contact:
📧 Prof. Steve West (Director of Postgraduate Research) – s.west@exeter.ac.uk
