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PhD/MPhil Pharmacology

PhD/MPhil Pharmacology

 

 

Programme overview

  • Learn from some of Europe’s leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
  • Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Northampton.
  • Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy’s training programme.

 

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master’s degree with a Merit classification.

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the USA, you  must  supply an official IELTS or TOEFL transcript to support your application, or provide a date on which you will be taking a test.

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of USAVI.

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90.

Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components or 22 in TOEFL (iBT). For the  writing component  in IELTS we expect that you have achieved a minimum of 6.0.

 

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Advice to applicants

In addition to the formal online application, candidates should send all supporting documents (CV, transcripts, certificates, confirmation of funding, English language ability (if applicable), references and a personal statement).

 

About the personal statement 

We recommend that your personal statement summarises:

  • any research experience and your interests;
  • your motivation for postgraduate research study;
  • why you want to do a postgraduate research degree in Northampton;
  • your career development to date;
  • your future career plans;
  • other supporting information: recent publications if any or other research training and experience.

If you have completed a research project during your undergraduate/master’s study, please give a short description of the work you undertook, including the following details:

  • the research problem
  • your key findings
  • techniques acquired and skills learned.

This information is especially important for applicants from overseas, so we can fully assess your practical background and experience alongside your academic qualifications. Failure to include this information may delay the processing of your application.

 

Interview requirements

Candidates will be required to attend an interview with their prospective supervisor as well as a Postgraduate Tutor. If it is not possible for you to attend in person, we are able to interview by Skype/video conferencing.
   

Disclosure and Barring Service check

Depending on the project you undertake, you may be required to undertake DBS screening.  We will notify of you this requirement if appropriate.

 

Accreditations

Course Level:
PhD/MPhil

Overview

Duration:

3-4 years PhD, 1-2 years MPhil

Entry requirements

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master’s degree with a Merit classification.

      Programme details

      Programme description

      Our PhD/MPhil Pharmacology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Pharmacology.

      Our pharmacology research focuses on a range of topics. These include:

      • the pharmacology of drug efflux transporters, particularly ABCB1 P-glycoprotein, ABCG2 breast cancer resistance protein and ABCC multidrug resistance-associated transporters;
      • developing complex, physiologically-relevant in vitro cell systems to investigate transport, metabolism and delivery of therapeutic drugs;
      • understanding the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms that regulate expression and function of drug efflux transporters, particularly in the blood-brain barrier;
      • the role of blood-brain barrier drug efflux transporters in drug delivery to the central nervous system and the effects of inflammatory and degenerative conditions, eg Alzheimer’s disease, on efflux transporter function;
      • the biological role of lipid networks in health and disease, particularly their roles in inflammation, cellular communications and tissue responses;
      • employing mass spectrometry-based lipidomic technology, in conjunction with functional, metabolic and signaling approaches to characterise lipid profiles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions;
      • investigating the role of lipids in skin homeostasis and in response to inflammation, injury and wound healing;
      • studying role of local hormones in diseases and conditions associated with the female reproductive tract (eg dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis and the detection and prevention of preterm labour);
      • molecularly identifying and pharmacologically characterising receptors expressed in the female reproductive system;
      • understanding the physiological and pharmacological characteristics of the placenta. These studies include the development of placental homing peptide-microRNA inhibitor conjugates for targeted enhancement of placental growth signaling.

          

      Special features

      Training and development

      All of our postgraduate research students attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Centre for Academic and Researcher Development (CARD).

      The programme provides key transferable skills in areas such as commercial awareness, academic writing and public engagement. This training equips our postgraduates with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy.

      The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

      See the  training and development  page for more information.

         

      Teaching and learning

      PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one year (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

      Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

      International applicants interested in this research area can also consider the our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

      This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

          

      Scholarships and bursaries

      Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK, EU and overseas.

      For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

         

      What our students say

      Find out more about what it’s like to study at Northampton on the   Doctoral Academy Blog .
         

      Facilities

      You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.
      Careers

      Career opportunities

      Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate.

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