Applications for 2024/2025 are now closed. 

Applications for the 2024/2025 academic year are now closed. We expect the scheme to run again for 2025/2026 entry with applications opening in Autumn 2024. Further details for 2025/2026 will be published when available. 

This 4-year PhD training programme provides unique inter-disciplinary training in infectious disease epidemiology, mathematical modelling and statistics, genetics and evolution, and computational methods.

Based within the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC GIDA), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology within the Faculty of Medicine's School of Public Health, the programme provides an opportunity to learn, in a supportive and stimulating environment, from leaders in the field who are actively engaged in research and advise leading public health professionals, policy-makers, governments, international organisations and pharmaceutical companies, both nationally and internationally, on a range of diseases include pandemic influenza, HIV, TB, malaria, polio and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Programme Outline
The programme begins with a 1-year specialist MRes course, during which students undertake core training one day each week, including technical training and generic skills training. Alongside the taught courses, students undertake two 5-month attachments in departmental research groups. At the end of the 1^st year students develop their PhD proposal to be undertaken in years 2-4.

Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first or upper second-class degree in a relevant subject which includes all of those from the quantitative and life sciences – including biology, zoology, genetics, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, economics, mathematics, physics, statistics.

Funding
These 4-year PhD Programme in Epidemiology, Evolution and Control of Infectious Diseases studentships provide generous support, including a tax-free stipend to cover living expenses at the UKRI minimum rate, currently £20,622 for the 2023/2024 academic year. Funding covers tuition fees up to the UK home rate fees amount. Students not eligible for UK fees would need to self-fund the additional fees needed for the international rate.

Additional studentships may become available over the course of the admission process - all eligible candidates will be considered without needing to submit any further details.

Additional self-funded places on the 1-year MRes course only will also be available.  If you are interested in this option please apply via the MRes Biomedical Research website.

For other opportunities across Imperial College in which MRC GIDA may be allocated successful students according to research areas please see other studentship opportunities.  You are encouraged to get in touch with potential supervisors within MRC GIDA to discuss your ideas in advance of application, but applications should be via the relevant scheme processes which are not administered by MRC GIDA.  Please see individual programme pages for further information and details on how to apply.  Please note that queries about specific schemes should be directed to the contact details given for each scheme.  MRC GIDA is not able to answer questions about how these schemes are managed.

Start date
Studentships are available for 2024/2025 entry, with a start date in Autumn 2024.