Publisher
source

University of Cambridge

Top university

Just Landed

PhD in Preclinical Human Neural Organoid and Computational AI Model Development University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Competition-funded PhD project. Funding is available for October 2027 entry via Cambridge Trust and Gates Cambridge funding rounds; Gates US round 1 closes 2026-10-14 and Cambridge Trust/Gates Cambridge round 2 deadline is 2026-12-08. Funding is not available for Lent or Easter 2027 places, and applicants may need other funding if they miss the funding deadlines.

Deadline

Dec 8, 2026

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Cambridge

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

Apply for this position

Keywords

Computer Science
Biology
Single-cell Analysis
Neuropsychology
Medical Science
Genome Editing
Neurodegenerative Disease
Drug Screening
Spatial Transcriptomic

Suggested positions

About this position

PhD opportunity at the University of Cambridge in preclinical human neural organoid and computational/AI model development.

This project sits at the intersection of neuroscience, neural organoids, single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and computational AI. The aim is to combine patient-specific iPSC-derived human neural organoids with postmortem CNS samples to build large-scale AI frameworks that can identify disease-associated cellular states, molecular biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. The work focuses on neurodegenerative conditions and uses computational predictions to guide experimental validation in organoid models.

The project is based in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, with collaboration across the new Cambridge MRC Translational Models Hub and possible industry involvement (Replicam). Research activities include scaling up neural organoid models, benchmarking how well they recapitulate physiological and pathophysiological features, and validating AI-predicted targets using gene editing, delivery methods, Trim-away-based perturbations, and drug testing.

Funding: This is a competition-funded PhD project. Funding routes mentioned include Gates US applications and Cambridge Trust / Gates Cambridge funding rounds. The post notes that funding is not available for Lent or Easter 2027 places if the funding deadline has passed, so applicants should apply early and indicate all funding they are eligible for.

Eligibility and timing: The opportunity is open to students worldwide. The funding deadline stated in the post is 8 December 2026 for Cambridge Trust / Gates Cambridge round 2, with a Gates US round 1 deadline of 14 October 2026.

How to apply: Register your interest on the FindAPhD listing and follow the University of Cambridge application process. Review the Gates website and Cambridge postgraduate funding search, and make sure your application includes every funding scheme you qualify for.

Funding details

Competition-funded PhD project. Funding is available for October 2027 entry via Cambridge Trust and Gates Cambridge funding rounds; Gates US round 1 closes 2026-10-14 and Cambridge Trust/Gates Cambridge round 2 deadline is 2026-12-08. Funding is not available for Lent or Easter 2027 places, and applicants may need other funding if they miss the funding deadlines.

What's required

Applicants should be interested in neuroscience, neural organoid models, and computational/AI approaches. The project involves single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis, in silico perturbation modelling, experimental validation, gene editing, delivery or Trim-away-based perturbations, and drug testing. The post is open to students worldwide and funding is available for specific Cambridge funding rounds; if applying after funding deadlines, other funding must be secured.

How to apply

Register your interest through the FindAPhD page and submit your application to the University of Cambridge. Make sure to indicate all funding schemes you are eligible for before the funding deadlines. Check the Gates website and Cambridge postgraduate funding search for details.

More information can be found here

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?