Complex Living Systems

The Complex Living Systems PhD program from The University of Exeter mission is to understand life across all scales - from individual atoms to whole organisms - and to discover approaches for improving health and treating disease. This Complex Living Systems PhD program from The University of Exeter requires a new generation of scientists who are trained to think and experiment beyond traditional boundaries. The recently established Living Systems Institute (LSI), University of Exeter, provides this opportunity by housing world leading Biologists, Physicists, Mathematicians, Computational Scientists and Engineers using cutting-edge technologies. Modern scientific innovation involves the integration of diverse disciplines and the bridging of pure and application-oriented research.

Key facts

• Leading edge approaches including genome editing, advanced imaging, stem cell biology, mathematical modelling, neuroscience, single cell/molecule technologies
• An interdisciplinary training Complex Living Systems program from The University of Exeter tailored to the individual student
• A supervisory team from different disciplines
• The opportunity to formulate your own project
• A modern, inclusive environment that is passionately committed to your development.
• Fully funded places including personal stipend and training budget

Career opportunities

University of Exeter and LSI has strong links with the pharmaceutical industry and is currently working with a number of partner institutions. Several of our LSI PIs have direct industry experience and are able to give advice about how to work in this sector and the difference between industry and research led activity. Overall, the program will allow you to develop skills highly sought after by employers, while also giving you the opportunity to create a professional network with employers.

Courses include

LSI PhD students may access all courses offered through the University’s Doctoral College. In addition following an initial training needs analysis students may be able to access postgraduate taught modules to support their understanding in particular areas. The first year will begin with an opportunity to undertake a group project to provide an introduction to interdisciplinary research. The following 3-4 months will comprise of rotations within different labs, designed on an individual basis, which will allow students to experience the research environment in different laboratories. Its purpose is to familiarize you with the different approaches to research such that at the end of this rotation period, you will be able to refine your PhD project with help from faculty members.