Our Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing research degree offers the opportunity to undertake a multi-disciplinary research project in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. You’ll explore the application of novel imaging and analytical approaches to the study of normal physiology and disease mechanisms, leading to new detection, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to human disease.
The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge and clinical research across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Programmes of work across ISMIB are varied and are led by world experts in their fields.
The Centre for Preclinical Imaging, part of Liverpool Shared Research Facilities, provides expertise and infrastructure for non-invasive imaging in preclinical models. Our preclinical imaging technologies include high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), magnetic particle imaging (MPI), optical imaging, photo-acoustic imaging, ultrasound and a targeted hyperthermia unit. Novel applications of these imaging technologies and contrast mechanisms are constantly being developed that will aid the further development and refinement of regenerative medicine therapies, and facilitate areas such as developmental biology, neurobiology, physiology, pharmacology and cancer.
Our postgraduate researchers use state-of-the-art technologies. These include (MRI), MPI and PET to enable non-invasive assessment of anatomy and function, optical imaging to assess protein expression and reporter gene expression, ultrasound for the measurement of blood flow and vascularity, and photo-acoustic imaging to facilitate assessment of renal function or cancer hypoxia. All of these have widespread applications for diagnostics and therapeutic interventions in neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, physiology, musculoskeletal biology and other relevant fields.
Research topics you could specifically focus on include:
It’s useful to contact potential supervisors before you begin your application. Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology for details of potential supervisors.
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Part-time place, per year - £15,650
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology is situated primarily across the University’s north campus, including the Biosciences, Sherrington, William Henry Duncan and Waterhouse Buildings. Researchers benefit from access to world-class equipment and facilities via the Liverpool Shared Research Facilities, many of which are based within the Institute.
These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.
Want to find out more about studying a PhD with us? Chat with our postgraduate research student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.
You’ll normally be expected to hold both:
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.