The University of Liverpool, in partnership with the University of Manchester, has been awarded a major new Doctoral Landscape Award from the Medical Research Council (MRC).
The award forms part of the MRC’s £90 million investment in doctoral training, which will support future researchers across the UK to undertake PhDs while gaining experience in academia, healthcare and industry.
The Liverpool-Manchester programme will fund PhD training to develop the next generation of highly skilled scientists and healthcare professionals. It will equip them with the skills needed to tackle major medical research and innovation challenges across a wide range of careers.
This programme is built around three biomedical pillars, bringing together the complementary strengths of both universities: neuroscience and mental health; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; and infection, immunity, inflammation and repair. These will be integrated through three cross-cutting themes: molecular, cellular and developmental biology; biotechnology and diagnostics; and data science and digital health.
Alongside high-quality scientific training, students will develop valuable skills in areas such as literacy, responsible research, communication and entrepreneurship. Flexible training pathways will allow students to tailor their experience to their own career goals. Partnerships with Bionow, Masood and Unit-M will provide networking opportunities and strengthen students’ understanding of business, innovation and commercialisation awareness, preparing students for innovation‑driven roles.
At the University of Liverpool, the programme will be co-directed by Parveen Sharma and Helen Wallace. Together they commented: “We are delighted to receive this award. This partnership with the University of Manchester reflects the strength of our combined expertise, and our programme will give the next generation of researchers the training and opportunities they need to tackle the health challenges facing our region and beyond.”
Joe Swift, programme director at the University of Manchester, said: “I am delighted that, through this significant investment from the MRC, our programme will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of medical science research in the North West and beyond.”
The programme has been designed with researcher wellbeing at its core and includes a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, widening participation and fostering a positive research culture. The universities will work in partnership with social mobility charity In2ScienceUK to engage and create opportunities for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training.
Graduates will emerge from the programme as skilled, adaptable researchers with the practical experience, sector-relevant skills and professional confidence needed to success in today’s global research and innovation environment
Prospective postgraduate researchers can register their interest and receive updates about the programme here.