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).

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 1st year students develop their PhD proposal to be undertaken in years 2-4.

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.

This opportunity is open to students eligible for the UK home fee rate only, providing a tax-free stipend to cover living expenses at the UKRI minimum rate, £21,237 (inc. London weighting) for the 2025/26 academic year.