British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence 4-year MRes+PhD studentships

Call for Applications for PhD studentships in Cardiovascular Sciences commencing 2022-23

The King’s College London British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence offers an outstanding environment for cardiovascular research training. It includes a large number of internationally rated investigators whose expertise encompasses a broad range of cardiac and vascular biomedicine. The School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences is a core constituent of the BHF Centre and its research features in Nature, Circulation, Journal of Clinical Investigation and other high impact factor journals. Clinical and pre-clinical research is at the heart of King’s College London priorities and activities, and the College was ranked 16th worldwide in Times Higher Education 2021 in this field.

We have several studentships available on our prestigious 4-year MRes+PhD BHF programme to commence in late September 2022. The programme aims to impart a broad understanding of the fundamental biology of the cardiovascular system, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying disorders of this system, and multi-disciplinary approaches towards the development of novel interventions for the amelioration of such disorders. We believe that it is especially important for the students progressing through this programme to develop an integrated approach that allows them to use a range of complementary methods and techniques to address focused questions. These objectives are achieved through a combination of research mini-projects, workshops and a library project in Year 1, leading to the award of an MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences, followed by a specialised 3-year PhD project in Years 2-4 that is complemented by additional graduate training activities. All principal supervisors on the programme have a strong track record of publications, grant income, successful supervision and development of the new generation of cardiovascular leaders.

For further information please visit our website (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/scms).

STUDENTSHIP DETAILS AND ELIGIBILITY

– Stipend: The studentships provide a generous stipend (currently £22,278 in Year 1 for London-based students).

– Bench Fees: An allowance will be provided for research consumables (£10,000 per annum) and for attending UK and international conferences.

– Tuition fees: Home tuition fees will be fully covered by this programme.

– Eligibility: Home, EU and international students are all eligible to apply. We have limited institutional funding available for EU and International applicants.

ENTRY REQUIRMENTS

The programme welcomes applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants will be reviewed on qualifications, experience and potential to undertake a research degree.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must possess, or be expected to achieve, a 1st or good upper 2nd class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Where applicants have (or expect to obtain) a MSc degree, a distinction or merit is required.

If English is not your first language you will be required to provide evidence that you meet the minimum English requirements of the Faculty details can be found on our website. If you are unable to provide this confirmation before applying any offer you are made would be conditional upon you meeting these requirements prior to enrolment and no later than 4 weeks before the course starts.

To apply, please visit the King’s Apply website at https://myapplication.kcl.ac.uk/ and follow the steps outlined below – PLEASE NOTE that applications can only be submitted online at the King’s Apply website from 18 October 2021:

• Register a new account and login.
• Open a new application.
• Select the programme:

1. Select ‘Taught programmes’
2. Enter ‘Cardio’, then Search
3. Select: ‘Cardiovascular Sciences MRes/PhD 1+3 (Full-Time)’. Your application cannot be considered if submitted under the incorrect programme.

• Complete and submit your application noting the following:

1. Supporting Statement – ensure you include a personal statement (but NOT a research proposal) and either copy this into the pre-defined box or upload to the website.

2. References – these do not need to be received by the closing date; however, they will be required by the interview date if you are invited.

3. Funding – select drop-down ‘4. Grant Awarding Body’. For the award status, select ‘Advertised Scholarship’ and in the box marked ‘Ref No.:’, please enter: ‘BHF4YR20’.

The closing date for completed applications is Monday 22 November. Interviews are expected to be held in the week starting the 13 December 2021. For successful applicants, the programme will commence at the end of September 2022.