PhD programme in Reproductive Health and Science

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Application deadline: Applications will close on 15 January 2025

Start date: Mid-September to 1 October 2025

Fully-funded PhD scholarships are available for 2 candidates

Research 

This 3.5 year Reproductive Health and Science studentship program is focusing on one of four main themes.

• Gonadal function, including prenatal gonad and germ cell development, spermatogenesis, oocyte maturation and competence and fertility preservation. 
• Translational gynaecology, including pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding; endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids; and reproductive cancer. 
• Sexual health, including contraception; abortion care; and cervical cancer screening.
• Pregnancy, tackling pain and distress during pregnancy, encompassing but not limited to the impacts of adverse pregnancy on the mother, fetus and subsequent generations, and how pregnancy is impacted by adverse maternal health. Studentships in Pain and Distress in Pregnancy are funded by the Albert McKern legacy.

The programme is based at the Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH) within the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR).

Students will receive cross-disciplinary training aimed at equipping graduates with skills to drive future research developments in reproductive science and health. At the end of 3 years of PhD study, 0.5 years of funding is available to support approved activities that enable student career progression.

Find out more about our research themes

Projects on offer for 2025-26

Applicants are encouraged to contact group leaders whose projects they are interested in.

Characterising macrophage phenotypes and functions in the transition from pre-malignant lesions to endometrial cancer

Applicants are encouraged to contact Doctor Tak Kitamura (tkitamur@ed.ac.uk)

Exploiting a unique mouse model to understand how an adverse maternal pregnancy environment leads to stillbirth and intrauterine growth restriction

Applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Nicola Gray (Nicola.Gray@ed.ac.uk)

About the programme

Students will benefit from the world-leading research at the CRH, which is led by a combination of non-clinical and clinician scientists. Students will be integrated into the broader CRH PhD programme, providing exposure to diverse aspects of Reproductive Health, and be embedded in the IRR’s Postgraduate Training Framework. Students will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities at IRR and the wider University, and benefit from a broad range of training opportunities which are available across the University of Edinburgh campus.

Training in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a wide range of training opportunities, from those aimed at acquisition of general research skills and transferable skills (Institute for Academic Development) to advanced training courses in specific areas (e.g. image analysis, analysis of transcriptomic data sets).

Training opportunities - Institute for Academic Development

Application eligibility

Applications from UK and non-UK based students are welcomed. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2025, and interviews are planned on 18 and 19 February 2025.

Full eligibility criteria and further details about the PhD studentships and application process are as below, but these studentships are only to support non-clinical students. University of Edinburgh adheres to equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding to cover stipend (maintenance allowance at UKRI rate, which was £19,237.00 for 2024-2025 and tbc for 2025-2026) and tuition fees.

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in the sciences at least UK level of 2.1 or the equivalent from non-UK universities and must meet the English language entry requirements. A Master’s degree in a relevant life sciences subject would be an advantage.

English language entry requirements

How to apply

Required (you must provide all of the documents as described or your application may not be reviewed)

• Personal statement (1 page in total) covering why you want to apply for a specific project(s), how your career to date has prepared you to do this PhD, and how gaining this PhD will meet your long-term career goals. 

  Important - please indicate which project from the two projects detailed above you are applying to (personal statement and email subject header)

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Two academic references submitted by the referee by the deadline, using the template linked below.
• For non-native English speakers, a certificate which meets the programme entry requirements for English or information on when you expect to be able to provide this. You can review the requirements here: English language entry requirements

Optional

Where applicable 0.5 extra pages can be used to explain any exceptional circumstances that may have affected academic performance to date, non-linear career paths, or any other information we may find useful in ensuring adherence to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion - This is optional and it is anticipated that many applicants will not need to provide this additional document.

Applications should be sent to Aga Wysocka (awysocka@ed.ac.uk). Please use Word documents. 

Interviews

Interviews will be in the format of a 7 minute presentation by the applicant on a previous/on-going research project that showcases skills and knowledge.

This will then be followed by questions on the presentation and their application. Interviews will last about 45 minutes, and take place on Microsoft Teams.