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The William Harvey Research Institute - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

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  3. QMUL Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology - PhD Programme
  4. Eligibility and How to Apply

Eligibility and How to Apply

Recruiting: The Application Window is Now Open

General information

Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology 4-year PhD studentships will be advertised in each year (in 2026 this will be in February through findaphd.com and other media) with the programme commencing in September of the following year. The application deadline will be in late-January, with interviews in early March. Applicants will be asked to give a short presentation before the interview, based on a research topic they have studied, prior to interview by a panel of 4-5 people including members of Programme committee. Microsoft Teams presentation and interview are offered to ensure inclusivity as required. Opportunities to meet with current PhD students will be available on the day.

Writing an application for DFA programme is much like applying for a job, but you’ll want to really highlight any research experience you’ve had and explain why you are interested in studying AI in the context of Bioscience, to show your motivation to study for a PhD through this programme.

Use the tips listed in the Supporting Applications section to help you tailor your CV and personal statement to good effect.

Eligibility

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are passionate about contributing to new discoveries in bioscience through the application of the latest techniques in AI and data science.

We welcome applications from candidates who hold a MSc or MRes at merit or distinction level, or have gained equivalent experience, in Computer Science, Bioinformatics / Computational Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemistry or other relevant fields. We accept applicants with a first-class BSc who do not hold a MSc/MRes, provided the applicants provide evidence of equivalent research experience, industry experience, or specialist training. Programming skills are strongly desirable, and you will be confident in performing data wrangling and analysis in a language such as Python, R or C++, or can demonstrate the ability to acquire the necessary level of programming skills.

The Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology DFA is committed to inclusivity and strongly encourages applicants from all backgrounds and regardless of their personal circumstances. We will select those who display the potential to become, or to support, the world-leading AI for bioscience researchers of the future based on their application and performance at the time of interview.

As a positive action to promote applicant from underrepresented groups joining the programme we will prioritise one studentship per year for applicants from Black (British, African, Caribbean and/or Mixed) or other underrepresented ethnic backgrounds (for example, Asian Bangladeshi origin), from those who meet the standard required for entry to the programme.

How to Apply

To apply for the Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology PhD Programme we require you to complete two separate online forms:

  1. Apply through QMUL’s standard online application portal for our PhD Programme
  2. Complete an anonymised application form specific for the Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology PhD Programme

There is some duplication between the two online forms, but it is essential you complete both fully. Also, you will be asked to write a personal statement in both applications. We therefore recommend that you prepare your statement in a word processing programme, (e.g., Microsoft Word), and then copy and paste it into the relevant fields of the application forms.

Complete the standard application first. This can be accessed through the following link: BBSRC DFA Application Form 1. At the bottom of the page there is an apply online section.

For Choose a degree select - PhD

For Choose a mode of study select - Full-time

For Choose a start date select – Semester 1

Then select the box - PhD Full-time William Harvey Research Institute (Non-clinical) -Semester 1 (September start)

Complete the Research Proposal section as follows:

For Proposed supervisor - write Paul Chapple (this is to solely to bring your application to the Course Directors attention rather than select Prof Chapple as a supervisor)

In the Proposed project title/ studentship title box write – you do not need to select a project title or provide a research proposal, simply write Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology

In the Research group box write – Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology

For What is your proposed start date select - 30/09

Complete all other sections and submit.

Important – please note the Unique Application Identifier Number that was generated for you after completing the standard QMUL Application Form. 

Now complete the Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology PhD Programme anonymised application form. This can be accessed through the following link: BBSRC DFA Application Form 2. This is an anonymised form so avoid including any information that identifies you, where you have been educated/worked, or individuals.

Supporting applications

Please note, some of the links are available only to Queen Mary University of London students; if you are studying currently at another university, be sure to make good use of the Careers Service where you are.

Writing your CV

  • Use headings well to highlight the most recent and relevant experience you’ve had
  • Provide well-chosen detail to give more information about research projects you have undertaken as part of your previous university courses or employment.
  • Split out your research skills – e.g., data science skills, coding skills, AI and ML mathematics and statistics skills, project management skills: these are the skills that are really important in a PhD of this type.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing self-development, an important part of many PhD programmes, by showing what research methods or other training you have taken.
  • Show how you have contributed to your current degree programme or employment – e.g., organising department events such as journal clubs or something social – a PhD programme isn’t all research!

Writing your Personal Statement

  • Use this structure to create at least three good paragraphs:
  1. Why are you interested in this PhD programme?
  2. Why do you want to come to Queen Mary University of London and join the Advanced AI for Multi-modal Spatial Biology DFA?
  3. Why do you think they should be interested in having you on their programme? This is where you get to mention some of the great things you have on your CV.
  • Demonstrate the research you’ve done into doing a PhD, and into this programme. For example, mention that you’ve spoken to existing PhD students about their experiences, or how you’ve looked at some of the researchers’ work online.
  • It’s important to be aware that moving into academia after a PhD is not guaranteed and this programme will train people for multiple types of career that utilise research skills. Use your personal statement to show how becoming a really effective researcher with excellent transferable skills is important to you.
  • Use enthusiastic and active language (‘developed’, ‘created’, ‘initiated’, ‘learned’) in your statement.
  • If you can, tie your personal statement to what the PhD programme is specifically looking for. For example, if they are asking for ‘motivated students that can handle a lot of data with attention to detail,’ explicitly provide examples of where you have demonstrated motivation, and where you have been successful in spotting errors or checking your work.
  • Even though this is a PhD programme focused on AI do NOT use generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) to write the entirety of your personal statement.

Other resources

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