PhD in Experimental Medicine

The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences trains ~250 postgraduate research students undertaking Ph.D., MD, and MPhil degrees in Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, Medical Education, and Dentistry. Its diverse postgraduate student population comprises both basic and clinical scientists from across the globe engaged in wide-ranging research projects spanning the breadth of the School’s research portfolio from traditional epidemiology to 'big data science and bioinformatics, through molecular and cell biology to clinical trials.

Subject Summary

As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences you will join a vibrant research community addressing key global healthcare challenges. You will work closely with academic and postdoctoral staff as a central and highly-valued component of the School’s research program, thereby contributing to key discoveries in disease mechanisms which are translated towards innovative prevention and therapeutic strategies which will ultimately improve the quality of life and survival of patients. A direct translation of research findings from bench to bedside is facilitated by close collaborative interaction between clinical and basic research scientists as a hallmark of our research program, allowing the direct translation of excellent science to clinical benefit.

Medicine Highlights

Industry Links

The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences promotes close collaborative interaction with local and global biotechnology companies, such as Almac and Randox. Such relationships are underpinned by innovative discovery science and its clinical application and have resulted in the development of novel diagnostic/prognostic applications and therapies.

Career Development

The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate program trains students in both research-specific and generic skills towards the promotion of professional development. Students may also avail of career development advice at the School's annual Postgraduate Research Forum, through its peer mentoring program, and as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. The QUB Graduate School also provides wide-ranging opportunities for career development which complement School-specific postgraduate research training.

World Class Facilities

As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally excellent or world-leading, whilst Queen’s was ranked joint 1st in the UK for research intensity. Queen’s is ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.

Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences will undertake their research projects within the Institute of Health Sciences which has benefitted from significant recent investment (>£100M) and boasts state-of-art facilities and technology.

Student Experience

The School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences provides a vibrant environment for postgraduate research training. There are currently ~250 students undertaking wide-ranging basic science and clinical research projects who work closely together with postdoctoral and academic staff across the Institute of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to interact both within and across disciplines through formal and informal School events, many of which are student-led.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the Top 200 Universities in the World (QS World University Rankings 2019)

140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast, one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland, it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity (REF 2014/ Times Higher Education) with over 75% of its research assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2014.

We’re A Global University

Students enjoy being educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and a significant investment in the student experience has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction and employability rates.

Global Research Institutes

Building on its disciplinary excellence, the University has created four flagship Global Research Institutes which bring leading academics together to tackle some of the greatest global challenges of our time in the areas of: Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety.

The Faculty Of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s deliver high quality, leading-edge education, through world-class staff, focused on the needs of society. We provide an educational experience that is research-led and enriches our students intellectually, socially and culturally.

Our hope is that students from around the world will join with us to both learn and also bring new ideas and approaches to help drive forward our ambitions to enhance and advance life. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. We're proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.

Addressing Global Challenges

Through our education and research, we strive to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, our academic staff undertake world-leading research through our Schools and Global research institutes in Health Sciences and Global Food Security. This has resulted in new treatments for patients and greater levels of protection for the food we eat.

Faculty Schools

The School of Biological Sciences The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences The School of Nursing and Midwifery The School of Pharmacy