Precision Medicine PhD

The University of Edinburgh

This is a MRC Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) in Precision Medicine and a collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Precision medicine is an emerging, transformational approach to disease treatment and prevention, focusing on identifying which strategy will be effective for which patients, based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It integrates evidence from advanced data on myriad clinical samples with the individual genomics, e-record, imaging and other data-rich -omic parameters to enable discovery and tailored therapies.

There is a huge unmet need to train a generation of scientists who can excel in state of-the-art interrogation of genetic and genomic information, developing and utilising analytical methodologies to provide evidence to improve health and well-being. We aim to train the next generation of research leaders, expert in informatics-based approaches and biomedical technologies, who are thus able to unravel disease mechanisms and devise new therapies. We aim to train such researchers to realise the full potential of Precision Medicine.

Our students will learn to develop quantitative research creativity for use in their future careers in fast moving disciplines, as biomedical science embraces new data-rich opportunities. Our collaborative DTP will provide state-of-the-art training in informatics, data analytics, genetics, genomics, epidemiology, clinical populations, clinical tissue and ‘liquid biopsy’ interrogation and molecular pathology. Hypotheses generated, including novel disease mechanisms and drivers, may be tested in the most appropriate disease models.

Uniquely, our DTP offers:

• PhD with integrated study - training in Precision Medicine towards becoming a T-shaped researcher (broad in outlook while studying in depth)

• flexibility in training provision: a 3.5 year PhD for students with a relevant masters degree and a 4 year PhD for those with a high BSc (Hons), with a suite of bespoke training courses, informed by individual assessment of training needs

• cutting-edge learning in both medicine and computation

• vast data assets emerging from the infrastructure and facilities within the world-leading training environments provided by the three partners, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Karolinska

The University of Edinburgh is internationally leading in basic-to-clinical translational research. We have an outstanding record of interdisciplinary research and a longstanding strategic commitment to the concept of one medicine/one health. The College will continue to play a world-leading role in research to advance human and animal health and food security.

The College’s ‘One Medicine, One Health’ strategy is built upon integration of research from bench to bedside and from process to population. This is delivered by the UK’s only unified College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, consolidating research in multidisciplinary research centres, clustering these centres within contemporary research institutes located next to hospitals on three major translational research campuses, linking with research excellence in the other Colleges, committing to recruitment and retention of the most talented early career researchers, and developing the culture of translation of research to maximise impact on health and wealth.

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the Association of International Accountants (AIA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.