Elsewhere on Ulster
This project is funded by:
In 2024, in collaboration with QUB, a new industry facing institute called the Future Medicines Institute was established. This is a £55M programme funded by Department of Economy NI and Industry partners, managed by the UKRI Strength in Places programme. This programme is a collaboration between regional Life and Health Sciences commercial and academic partners including Almac Discovery, Randox Laboratories, Almac Diagnostic Services, Diaceutics, Sonrai Analytics, Exploristics, Fusion Antibodies, and HIRANI. As part of this exciting programme Ulster University is pleased to announce that we are offering up to ?? studentships to help develop collaborative programmes of research between the partners and academic research at UU and QUB. Furthermore, these projects are specifically designed to develop skills and training that are needed by the regional Life and Health Sciences sector.
Infertility is a common problem affecting one in six couples and in up to 30% of infertile couples, the male factor is a major cause. While studies on infertility have so far primarily focused on chromosomal abnormalities and sequence variants in protein-coding genes, it has been shown that a multitude of factors across various ‘omics levels also contribute to infertility phenotypes. The complexity of male infertility has led to the understanding that an integrated, multi-omics analysis may be optimal for unravelling this disease.
This PhD studentship will focus on the development of data driven clinical data analysis through integration of diverse biomedical datasets - including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and digital pathology images. The student will work across academic and industry partnerships to investigate how data platforms can support translational research, enable secure access, and drive discovery. This project is at the forefront of data-enabled diagnostic development. The student will develop skills in areas such as health data integration and governance, biomedical data management (multi-omics, imaging), qualitative research (e.g. stakeholder interviews, questionnaires, case studies), platform evaluation and digital health strategy, data ethics, FAIR principles, and secure access models. Importantly a strong emphasis will also be placed on developing key skills in communication with interdisciplinary teams including industry and clinical collaborators.
Applicants must have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in bioinformatic, computer science, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, or a related discipline, along with some practical experience relevant to the project. Desirable criteria include a Master's degree in computer science or bioinformatics or a related discipline specific expertise in areas such as computational biology, data science, or multi-omics analysis.
Applicants must be resident in the UK or Ireland.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
This project is funded by:
Tuition fees will be covered in full and a stipend of £21,805 per annum will be paid for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
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Submission deadline
Thursday 16 April 2026
04:00PM
Interview Date
30 April 2026
Preferred student start date
June 2026
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