LSI PhD Programme in Complex Living Systems

University of Exeter LSI PhD programme offers funded interdisciplinary projects across biology, maths and computing using advanced technologies to tackle major challenges.

Modern scientific innovation involves the integration of diverse disciplines and the bridging of pure and application-oriented research. At the LSI we are training a new generation of scientists who are equipped to think and experiment beyond traditional boundaries using cutting-edge technologies and approaches.

You can apply to our PhD Programme via three routes: (i) direct application for an LSI-funded PhD studentship (covers fees, stipend, and training budget); (ii) application for a studentship funded by another source (e.g., UKRI, China Scholarship Council, national agencies) with an LSI supervisor; (iii) self-funding with an LSI supervisor.

LSI PhD Stipends intake 2026/27 is open now.

Deadline: 08.06.2026 

Here are all projects:

•  Investigating the role of ribosome hibernation and activation during cancer cell dormancy and relapse.  Project Daum – Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Bertram Daum (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Steffen Scholpp (LSI/Biosciences), Assoc. Prof Ke Li (LSI/Computer Sciences). 

• Forces in the Matrix: Developmental Biophysics Across Species. Harmansa Project – Supervisors: Dr Stefan Harmansa (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Steffen Scholpp (LSI/Biosciences).

• Designer proteins to rewire living systems.  Harmer Project – Supervisors: Prof Nicholas Harmer (LSI/Biosciences), Dr Jonathan Phillips (LSI/Biosciences), Assoc. Prof Benjamin Housden (LSI/CBS), Prof Austin Smith (LSI/Biosciences).

• Exploiting receptor trade-offs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa to optimise phage therapy strategies.  Gold Project  – Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Vicki Gold (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Stineke van Houte (Biosciences Penryn).

• Causal Perturbation Prediction Across Diverse Cellular Contexts via Diffusion Language Models. Li Project – Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Ke Li (Computer Sciences), Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova (Maths), Anelia Horvath (George Washington University).

• Modelling the interactions of DNA-associated proteins that determine cell type. Moebius Project – Supervisors: Dr Wolfram Moebius (LSI/Physics), Prof Brian Hendrich (LSI/Biosciences).

• Protein Choreography of CRISPR/Cas9: How do genome editing enzymes move in order to function?  Phillips Project – Supervisors: Dr Jonathan Phillips (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Marc Goodfellow (LSI/Maths); Dr Fabrice Gielen (LSI/Physics); Dr Remy Chait (Biosciences), Prof Jonathan West (Institute for Life Sciences Univ. Southampton); Prof. Eamonn Reading (School of Biological Sciences Univ. Southampton).

• From one stem cell to many fates: A single-cell epigenetic roadmap of planarian differentiation.  Solana Project – Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Jordi Solana (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Brian Hendrich (LSI/Biosciences), Dr Magda Strauss (Maths), Dr Sean Flynn (CBS)

• Mechanical modelling of matrix dynamics during organ morphogenesis. Tsaneva-Atanasova Project – Supervisors: Prof Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova (LSI/Maths), Dr Stefan Harmansa (LSI/Biosciences), Dr Peyman Shadmani (CBS)

• Orienting cell division in the developing fly embryo: a joint mathematical experimental approach.  Wakefield Project – Supervisors: Prof James Wakefield (LSI/Biosciences), Prof Pete Ashwin (Maths)

• Controlling endogenous neural signalling with new designer biologics to promote pancreatic beta-cell regeneration for treating diabetes. Yang Project – Supervisors:  Dr Yu Hsuan Carol Yang (LSI/CBS), Dr Jonathan Phillips (LSI/Biosciences)

All students are enrolled in the integrated LSI programme regardless of primary discipline or funding source. You will benefit from the broad range of opportunities and activities offered by the programme, including:

• Leading-edge research technologies and approaches, from quantum biology to brain function
• State-of-the-art laboratories and facilities in the recently built LSI
• Opportunity to formulate and modify your own project
• Cohort learning in interdisciplinary training modules and workshops
• Supervisors from different disciplines
• Advisory thesis committee to support you throughout the PhD
• Diverse and inclusive community of over 60 PhD students
• Peer-to-peer PhD student presentation and discussion sessions
• Future career preparation

Exeter is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK.  It is situated in the South West of England which offers unmatched sports and leisure opportunities through several national parks and some of the best beaches in Europe.

We aim to recruit the best and most imaginative students from across the range of disciplines represented in LSI – Physics, Mathematics, Computational Science, Engineering, Biology and Medicine.

You will be motivated by scientific curiosity and be able and willing to “think outside of the box”. You should have a first or upper-second-class degree (or equivalent). Masters training can be an advantage but is not essential. However, you should have sufficient experience to demonstrate your capability for research work and aptitude for critical thinking.