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British Heart Foundation Multidisciplinary PhD Programme

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
Apply by
Start date
Subject area
Health Sciences and Nursing
How to apply

Join us at our Postgraduate Online Open Week

Join us online from Monday 16 to Friday 20 March 2026 to find out more about master’s degrees and research opportunities at Liverpool.

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Overview

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Multidisciplinary PhD Programme is offering 2 fully funded four-year PhD studentships at University of Liverpool as part of the newly established CHAIN (Connecting Hearts And mINds) consortium.

About this opportunity

The CHAIN programme combines cardiovascular science, neuroscience, cell biology, data science, epidemiology, artificial intelligence, computer science, behavioural science, engineering  and engineering biology to provide you with broad, multidisciplinary training. Over the course of the programme , you will develop the skills and perspectives needed to undertake a cutting-edge PhD project aligned to the heart-brain axis theme.

You’ll have access to expert supervisors and cutting-edge state-of-the-art facilities, preparing you to undertake a research project that advances understanding and treatment of heart-brain diseases and associated comorbidities.

After your initial training (year 1), you will co-design your PhD project (years 2-4) with supervisors from your host institution and consortium partners, ensuring it aligns with your interests and the programme’s theme and multidisciplinary focus.

Throughout your PhD, you’ll benefit from ongoing tailored training, professional development, and opportunities for industry engagement to support your research progression training and its real-world impact.

During your first year you’ll have the opportunity to develop and refine a multidisciplinary research project that aligns with your interests in heart and brain research with a team of expert supervisors.

Research opportunities within the programme span multiple disciplines, reflecting the complex link between heart and brain health. Areas of focus include:

  • Advanced imaging
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Behavioural science
  • Bioinformatics
  • Cell biology and engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Computer science
  • Data science
  • Discovery Biosciences
  • Engineering
  • Epidemiology
  • Material Biosciences
  • Mathematics
  • Nanotechnology
  • OMICS
  • Physics

The programme features supervisors covering the breadth of these multidisciplinary fields. When it comes to defining your research project, you’ll match with an expert supervisors from your chosen area who will guide and support you in developing your project.

Please note, unlike other PhD programmes, you are not required to contact the supervisor before applying for this programme.

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Who is this for?

These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home fees only.

Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.

We actively welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and scientific backgrounds, including cardiovascular science, neuroscience, data science, and engineering.

We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Please apply via this link: British Heart Foundation (BHF) CHAIN DTP – candidate application form 2026/27 entry – Fill in form

    You should follow all instructions in the form, including the submission of your supporting documents via email to dtcoordinator@liverpool.ac.uk and the completion of an anonymised CV.

    Applications will be reviewed by a panel of academic staff following the closing date.

    Successful applicants only will be advised to submit a formal application through the University of Liverpool Application Portal at the relevant time.

    Any queries related to the studentship should be directed to Professor Dierdre Lane in the first instance Deirdre.Lane@liverpool.ac.uk

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details
    • A personal statement
    • An anonymised CV (please see the link in the form)
    • Names and contact details of two referees.

  3. 3. Apply

    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.

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Funding your PhD

The BHF Multidisciplinary PhD Programme is open to home-fee eligible candidates and covers tuition fees, research costs and a tax-free stipend for living costs per year of:

Year 1: £21,114

Year 2: £21,114

Year 3: £22,835

Year 4: £24,696

The programme also includes a £3,000 fund for travel to conferences and contributions towards travel costs to partner institutions for training.

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Contact us

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.

Professor Deirdre Lane - BHF programme Co-Director
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