About the Project
This PhD project explores how young children's brain develops during the first five years of life and how this shapes thinking, language, and self-control. Using data from 300 children, the study combines brain imaging methods (MRI, EEG, and fNIRS) with behavioural assessments. It aims to understand how brain structure and activity work together as skills emerge, with a strong focus on modelling brain microstructure using MRI, and linking it with neurophysiological measures of function.…
Ultimately, this work could help improve early interventions, supporting children's development before they start school and setting stronger foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
The GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme is offering up to 18 MRC funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2027.
These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UKRI, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.
About the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme
The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead), and Exeter to train, support and develop graduates with strong research, critical analysis, creative problem solving and translational skills, equipping them for careers in the UK and globally. Our vision aligns research and skills development with UK Government priorities for the life sciences sector, while nurturing contributions to improve health outcomes and the economy worldwide.
Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise, and resources of the four research-intensive universities, with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary science. GW4 BioMed has previously awarded over 100 studentships across 6 cohorts in its first phase, along with 99 students over 5 cohorts in its second phase. GW4 BioMed3 will be our third, starting in October 27.
The 134 projects available for application, are aligned to the following themes;
- Cardiometabolic Disease
- Infection, Immunity, and Antimicrobial Resistance
- Neuroscience and Mental Health
- Population Health Sciences
Applications open on Wednesday 9th September and close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 21st October 2026. Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check our website for details.
Studentships will be 4 years full time. Part-time study may also be available.
Funding
These studentships are funded through GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme and consist of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21, 805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year).
Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.
Eligibility
Residency: GW4 BioMed3 studentships are available to UK and International applicants. Following Brexit, the UKRI now classifies EU students as international unless they have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees. This means that international candidates will not be expected to cover this cost and will be fully funded but will be required to personally cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. All studentships will be competitively awarded and there is a limit to the number of international students that we can accept into our programme (up to 30% cap across our partners per annum).
Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second-class degree will only be considered if they also have a master's degree (at the University of Bath this must be at least a Merit). Please check the entry requirements of the home institution for each project of interest before completing an application. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.
English requirements: If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements of the university that will host your PhD by the start of the programme. Please refer to the relevant university website for further information.
How to Apply
A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the GW4 BioMed website at gw4biomed.ac.uk. You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.
Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed3 for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution later.
Please complete the online application form linked from our website by 5.00pm on Wednesday, 21st October 2026. Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check the GW4 BioMed website for details and updates. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 22nd December 2026. Interviews will be held virtually on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentships will start on 1st October 2027.
Further Information
For informal enquiries, please contact GW4BioMed@cardiff.ac.uk
For project related queries, please contact the respective supervisors listed on the project descriptions on the GW4 BioMed website.