Postgraduate research
BHF Research Centre
Qualification: PhD
Department: Cardiovascular Sciences
Application deadline: 15 February 2026
Start date: 21 September 2026
Overview
Our British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence is offering two PhD studentships from the projects listed below.
This interdisciplinary studentship is funded through the British Heart Foundation Leicester Centre of Research Excellence. The Centre aims to advance cardiovascular research through three interconnected themes: Discovery, which uses genetics and related technologies to identify disease causes and predict risk; Interventions, which develops and refines treatments by translating laboratory findings to clinical practice; and Populations, which explores links between cardiovascular and other common conditions to tailor interventions for diverse groups. Central to this mission is the ambition to nurture the next generation of cardiovascular researchers—studentship holders will be integral to this vision, benefiting from world-class mentorship, structured development, and opportunities to build lasting professional networks.
This interdisciplinary studentship offers exceptional opportunities to engage in cross-theme and cross-disciplinary research, drawing on expertise from fields such as engineering, mathematics, social science, law, and economics. You will join a vibrant and supportive research community designed to stimulate collaboration and innovation, connect with leading experts across disciplines, and participate in events that open doors to future collaborations and research partnerships.
Please select your preferred project and follow the application advice under How to Apply below. Funding and entry requirements are also in the drop down sections below.
Professor Dave Adlam: Understanding How Female Hormones and Genetics Drive SCAD, a Major Cause of Heart Attacks in Young Women using clinical, cellular and AI-enhanced OMICs (PDF, 139kb)
Dr Maryam Afzali: Translational development of cardiac diffusion tensor imaging in cardiometabolic and valvular disease using machine learning (PDF, 157kb)
Professor Ashiq Anjum: Physics-Informed AI for Multi-Modal Cardiac Imaging and Prognostic Phenotyping (PDF, 136kb)
Dr Safoora Gharibzadeh: Validation and Equity Assessment of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Across Ethnic Groups in Atrial Fibrillation (PDF, 140kb)
Dr Reshma Chauhan: Understanding Why Failing Hearts Become Electrically Unstable: 3D Optical Mapping and AI Approaches (PDF, 159kb)
Funding
Funding
The British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Studentship provides
- 3.5 year UK tuition fees*
- 3.5 year stipend at UKRI rates. For 2025/6 this will be £20,780 per year (2026/27 stipend to be confirmed)
*International students are welcome to apply but must be able to demonstrate they are able pay the difference between UK and overseas fees for the duration of their study. For 2025/6 entry this will be £18,644 per year of study. There are no fee waivers, scholarships or bursaries available at the University of Leicester to cover this difference. International applicants must also be able to fund the cost of travel to the UK, their visa and associated costs, and the healthcare supplement.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent.Please refer to individual projects for any additional requirements.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
Informal enquiries
Informal enquiries
Please contact the project supervisor for project enquiries.
General enquiries to cls-pgr@le.ac.uk
How to apply
How to apply
To apply please use the Apply Link at the bottom of the page and select September 2026.
With your application, please include:
- CV
- Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience and why we should consider you
- Degree Certificates and Transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
- Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
- In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available. Project supervisors are not able to act as referees.
- In the funding section please specify BHF Centre of Research Excellence studentship
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title of your preferred project (a proposal is not required)
Eligibility
Eligibility
Open to UK and overseas students.
Overseas students should check the funding section to ensure they can meet the financial requirements.
