CDT recruitment for September 2025 start will open shortly
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Industry PhD studentship available for January start:
Improving digital healthcare solutions with data interoperability and large language models
In our programme you will develop technical and domain specific inter-disciplinary research skills, and gain experience delivering innovation into the public and private sectors. You will learn to successfully design, develop, and implement AI approaches in partnership with external stakeholders.
What we offer our CDT students
- Fully funded 4-year studentship, covering tuition fees, stipend (£19,237 in 2024/25) and an individual budget for travel and research costs.
- An innovative interdisciplinary training programme with a focus on application of novel methods to real-world challenges for the benefit of society and with the aim to improve health outcomes for patients.
- Supervision by at least two supervisors from different disciplines, covering expertise in artificial intelligence and biomedical/health science from world-leading research groups across the University of Edinburgh.
- Each PhD project features close collaboration with an external partner from the industry or public sector.
- Location in the world-class and interdisciplinary research community of the Informatics Forum and Bayes Centre with access to state-of-the-art facilities including unique data and computational resources.
- Opportunities for research placements and internships with our UK and international partners across different sectors.
- Tailored training in public engagement, patient & public involvement & engagement (PPIE), career planning, leadership skills, and responsible research & innovation (RRI).
- Generous support for entrepreneurship and startup development
- Diverse programme of CDT events including seminars, masterclasses, summer schools, conferences, guest lectures, hackathons, challenges, and partner engagement days.
- Opportunities to connect and collaborate with other postgraduate research groupings at the University of Edinburgh, including various CDTs in the School of Informatics, the MRC Precision Medicine Doctoral Training Programme and the East of Scotland Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership
Flexible interdisciplinary training
Our programme is a 4 year PhD with integrated study which offers a very high degree of flexibility. You will be able to decide which training opportunities to undertake and in what year to best suit your learning, research, and career development needs.
Although we commonly recruit students from Computer science, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering backgrounds we also have a lot of experience training those who may have relatively little prior exposure to computer science and mathematics. This includes clinicians, allied health professionals, biological, biomedical, and social scientists. We are primarily interested in an applicant’s potential to contribute to this field of research, and we have strategies in place to support students in gaining key skills and knowledge to successfully conduct research in applied biomedical artificial intelligence.
The research programme is organised into four thematic areas: Biomedical Imaging, Cellular and Molecular Systems Medicine, Biomedical & Health Informatics, and Genomic Medicine, each with an expert theme leader supported by groups of at least twenty project supervisors from across the University.
Student Support for all Needs
The CDT seeks to foster an inclusive and accessible environment where everybody feels supported and respected. The principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) underpin all our practices, policies and vision.
CDT programme offers tailored support and flexible working patterns to meet individual student needs. Studies can be undertaken on a part-time basis to accommodate students wishing to combine their research training with work or personal responsibilities. All CDT studentships are fully funded and have provisions for sick pay, parental leave and disabled students support. We also provide individual coaching sessions to students from underrepresented groups to support their PhD journey and post-PhD career choices.
You will be supported by a dedicated pastoral care contact in the CDT and School of Informatics, who can provide confidential support and guidance separately from your supervisory team.
The University of Edinburgh has a range of support structures and policies aimed at helping you get the most of your studies. There are also many informal student societies and support networks at the University dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe and welcome space for their members. These include LGBTQ+ Society, Edinburgh University Women in STEM Society, Mental Health and Wellbeing Society, Student Carers group and many others.
If you feel there are any barriers that could prevent you from successfully undertaking our CDT programme, please feel free to contact us and discuss your concerns.
