NIHR | Manchester Biomedical Research Centre

PhD Studentships and Clinical Fellowships

Our PhD students and Clinical Fellows are at the heart of advancing healthcare research, driving innovation, and shaping the next generation of scientific discovery within the Manchester BRC.

Supporting future researchers

With 61 PhD students and fellows currently engaged in groundbreaking research, our programme provides a platform for individuals to pursue advanced study and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields. Recruited in two cohorts (2023 and 2024), these researchers are integral to Manchester BRC’s mission.

Collaborative and Theme-driven research 

Some of our students are core-funded, enabling them to lead research projects across multiple Manchester BRC Themes. Others are deeply embedded within specific Themes, ensuring their work aligns closely with key areas of focus and impact.

12 people including Manchester BRC PhD students standing on a staircase. They are smiling at the camera.

Discover the journey of our PhD students

PhDs in Focus

Our Manchester BRC PhD students are leading the way in pioneering research, exploring innovative solutions to advance healthcare. Through their blogs, they share insights into their groundbreaking projects, their aspirations, and the impact they hope to make during their studies.

Gain a behind-the-scenes look at their journey and the exciting work shaping the future of healthcare research.

Read the blogs in the PhDs in Focus series.

A graphic which reads 'PhDs in Focus: Developing a research talent pipeline'. The background is light blue and there are white, navy and coral coloured symbols including a DNA helix and chromosome.

PhD Showcase Events

We have proudly hosted 2 PhD Showcase Events, highlighting the innovative research and progress of our talented Manchester BRC PhD students. These events were inspiring opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our students and strengthen connections across the research community. The events also brought together representatives from other Northern BRCs, creating a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Watch a short film featuring reflections from the PhD Showcase Event in October 2024

28 PhD students standing at the front of a lecture theatre. A slide explaining the Manchester BRC structure is behind them.

PhD students at the Showcase Event in October 2025

Katie Dixon and Artemis Bouzaki

PhD Student Representatives

We have 2 PhD Student Representatives who act as a key liaison between the student body and the Capacity Building team at Manchester BRC, playing a leadership role that directly enhances the experience, development and visibility of BRC PhD students and fellows.

The PhD Student Representatives are Katie Dixon (pictured left) from the Advanced Radiotherapy Theme and Artemis Bouzaki (pictured right) from the Living With and Beyond Cancer Theme.

PhD Buddy Scheme

Manchester BRC offers a PhD Buddy Scheme, providing PhD students and fellows a valuable opportunity to build connections, share experiences, and develop a supportive research community.

If you’re a Manchester BRC PhD student or fellow and interested in joining the scheme, please contact Jane Crosbie, Training Coordinator at jane.crosbie@manchester.ac.uk for more details.