PhD Biological Physics

Programme description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester is one of the largest and most active departments of physics in the UK. We have a long tradition of excellence in both teaching and research, and have interests in most areas of contemporary research.

The Department has a strong presence in a number of Manchester-based centres for multidisciplinary research: The National Graphene Institute, the Photon Science Institute; the Manchester Centre for Non-Linear Dynamics; the Dalton Nuclear Institute; and the Mesoscience and Nanotechnology Centre. In addition, the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is a part of the Department.

The Biophysics research group adopts experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to study biological and biomedical systems at molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels. In any given system, we often combine these approaches to aim for better and more rigorous understanding of the underlying physics and biomedical sciences. The offered projects are all multidisciplinary. Thus, apart from welcoming postgraduate applicants from physics and chemistry, we often have recruits from biosciences, computing science, mathematics and engineering.

Our main areas of research cover four general aspects: Physics of cell membranes and bio-interfaces, physics of peptides, physics of the heart and bio-systems, AI in medicine.

You can also download our Postgraduate Project Booklet (PDF document, 2.5Mb) which contains details of research projects available within the Department.

The postgraduate research environment is well funded and world-class as demonstrated by our ranking in REF2014. Supervision is provided by academic staff, who are leaders in their fields, with independent pastoral back-up. Transferable skills training is available and there are some department teaching opportunities.

A minimum of a 2i class UK Masters honours degree or international equivalent is required or a first degree with an additional Masters degree or international equivalent.