Research students are welcomed to Brunel as valued members of our thriving, research-intensive community. A research degree provides the opportunity to investigate a topic in depth, and contribute new knowledge to your discipline. A PhD involves demonstrating through original research or other advanced scholarship the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of an academic discipline or professional practice, the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the general of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline. Both full-time (3 years) and part-time (6 years) study routes are available.

Following the completion of the course students may follow several career paths:

• Research within academia which may lead to the career path of a University Lecturer
• Career progression within the bio-pharmaceutical sector including project management and above
• A career path within government agencies (e.g. Department of Health, Public Health England) or international agencies (UN, WHO, IAEA etc.)
• Career path within NHS including specialist research laboratories.

Career progression within specialist research institutes commencing as a post-doc researcher and progressing to senior researcher.

At Brunel we provide many opportunities and experiences within your degree programme and beyond – work-based learning, professional support services, volunteering, mentoring, sports, arts, clubs, societies, and much, much more – and we encourage you to make the most of them, so that you can make the most of yourself.

• We have extensive state-of-the-art research laboratories, including a bioimaging suite, that houses specialist technology for 2/3/4D imaging from the single cell level to the whole organism, and a containment level 3 laboratory for research on tuberculosis. The well-equipped research laboratories can accommodate 40-50 PhD students at any time.
• Current funders include the Medical Research Council, Barts and the London Charity, Arthritis Research Campaign, Sparks, The Neuroblastoma Society, ACCRF Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation and the MOD. A recent grant will see veterans of the 1950’s British nuclear testing programme participate in a cytogenetic study that will look for evidence of genetic damage in their make-up and, for any transmitted genetic alterations in their children. It is anticipated that outcomes of this project will enable meaningful considerations to help inform and educate the nuclear community on the potential genetic legacy of their presence at nuclear test sites.
• A training programme will be provided by the College to assist students with achieving targets.  The programme will include the underpinning principles such as philosophy of science, research integrity, ethics and specialist methodology.  Sessions in core, specialist and advanced research methods will prepare students for an independent research career. Students will also enrol in the Graduate School Researcher Development Programme which ensures all students are equipped with generic research skills including presentational skills and impact activities. 

• A minimum score of 60%- 70% or GPA 2.8/4 - 3.4/4. Offers within the grade range are determined by the higher education institution attended.
• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)