Postgraduate Opportunities

Postgraduate training opportunities

Training opportunities in the Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH) include a one year MSc by Research in Reproductive Sciences, PhD Studentships in Reproductive Health and associate MD research programmes.

For general enquiries: Email Aga Wysocka, Postgraduate Administrator

The normal route for direct entry at PhD level is through one of the PhD studentships advertised on www.FindaPhD.com when available.

Applications for studentships for science graduates wishing to pursue a career in Reproductive Health Sciences will be advertised when available. Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in the sciences (biological, chemical or physical), at least UK level of 2.1 or the equivalent from non-UK universities. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage.

Available PhDs

Harnessing comparative biology to understand climate change induced heat stress impacts on maternal and offspring health

Applications accepted up till Tuesday, 27th January, 2026, 4pm (UK time).  Competition funded PhD Project. Applications are invited from UK or EU-EEA Pre/Settled students.

Supervisors: Prof Niamh Forde (The University of Edinburgh), Dr Rosie Townsend (The University of Edinburgh)

About the Project

In utero exposure of individuals to stressors, including extreme heat experienced by the pregnant mother, can initiate adverse life-course health trajectories which differ between male and female offspring. The periconceptional period of mammalian development is particularly sensitive to environmental insults. Within the periconceptional period, the peri-implantation phase is critical because it is when: 

1. epigenetic determination of cell fate occurs,
2. cues to establish organ systems are initiated,
3. molecular and biophysical interactions between the mother and the embryo are established. 

Mechanisms by which maternal heat stress leads to peri-implantation pregnancy loss, pre-term birth, and/or affect life course health of offspring are unknown. The health of the subsequent generations is contingent on identifying these mechanisms and mitigating their effects. 

This PhD project will build and compliment ongoing work already using different models of pregnancy to:

1. Identify how acute heat stress during early pregnancy alters development and health of offspring.
2. Determine how early in utero heat stress alters physiological systems that influence health across the life-course of offspring.
3. Establish intervention strategies to mitigate against acute maternal heat stress and its legacy on offspring health and wellbeing.

The main components of this PhD will be:

1. Using cutting edge sequencing technology to understand determine cell-specific changes to key tissues of pregnancy including the endometrium and placenta.
2. Integrate multiomic analyses to determine causal factors impacting on offspring health.
3. Develop novel 3D tools including integrated organoid organ on a chip approach to test mitigation strategies.

Collectively this PhD will allow training in cutting edge techniques that will enhance our understanding of one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. It will allow the candidate to develop skills in this multidisciplinary and emerging research space.

PhD programme in Reproductive Health 

This 3.5 year studentship programme starting mid-September - 1st October 2026 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.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Project supervisor, Prof Niamh Forde 

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 to advanced training courses in specific areas (e.g., image analysis, analysis of transcriptomic data sets).

Full eligibility criteria and further details about the PhD studentships and application process are below. University of Edinburgh adheres to equality, diversity and inclusion principles. 

This studentship is open to candidates who are eligible for tuition fees at UK Home Fee rate. Applications are invited from UK or EU-EEA Pre/Settled students. 

The studentships are aimed at supporting non-clinical students and therefore provide funding to cover a stipend (maintenance allowance at UKRI rate, currently £20,780 for 2025-2026 and tbc for 2026-2027) and tuition fees.

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in the life 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. 

HOW TO APPLY

Required (In PDF format):

• Personal statement (1 page in total) covering why you want to apply for this project, how your career to date has prepared you to do this PhD, and how gaining this PhD will meet your long-term career goals.
• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Two academic references using PhD programme reference form (2026) submitted by the referee by the deadline.

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 the many applicants will not need to provide this additional document.

Applications should be sent to Aga Wysocka at awysocka@ed.ac.uk by Tuesday, 27th January 2026, 4pm (UK Time)

Interviews

Interviews will be in the format of a 7 min 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. The interview will be 45 minutes long and take place via Microsoft Teams on 2nd March 2026.

Examples of ongoing projects

Elucidating the relationship between the neonatal cerebral connectome and immune dysregulation in preterm infants

Impact of maternal stress on offspring immune development and later life health and disease

Defining the impact of endometriosis on immune-vascular remodelling in pregnancy 

MSc by Research in Reproductive Sciences

MSc places are available to science graduates wishing to pursue a career in Reproductive Health Sciences with a view to continuing to a PhD. Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in the sciences (biological, chemical or physical), at least UK level of 2.1 or the equivalent from non-UK universities.

MSc by Research in Reproductive Sciences

Our MSc programme on www.findmasters.com

Doctor of Medicine

Studying with us

The pages linked below provide further details on how we run our postgraduate programmes.

A guide for postgraduate students Supervision and Study

Information for current postgraduate supervisors and students [EASE login required]