PhD Programme in Biostatistics (With Fully-funded Studentships) University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

[Three or four highly competitive fully funded (covering University fees and stipend) three-year studentships will be available from October 2026. Departmental funding includes a generous travel and training budget.] The Medical Research Council (MRC) Biostatistics Unit (BSU) at the University of Cambridge is one of Europe's largest and most prestigious centres for biostatistics research, training, and knowledge transfer. The BSU is renowned for developing, applying, and promoting innovative statistical and data science approaches that advance biomedical science and human health. Its research portfolio is organized into five main themes, spanning from basic science to population health, and is responsive to current scientific needs in biomedicine.

Researchers at the BSU have made significant contributions to making complex data inference accessible to the scientific community and have developed innovative methodologies in areas such as clinical trial design, longitudinal and event history data analysis, precision medicine, causal inference, AI/machine learning, evidence synthesis in public health, and statistical genetics and genomics. The Unit is particularly recognized for its expertise in Bayesian inference as applied to biomedicine and public health. The PhD programme at the BSU is highly competitive and offers a stimulating, supportive, and diverse environment for students. Successful applicants will join a thriving community and benefit from a relaxed yet enthusiastic atmosphere, dedicated supervision, and comprehensive training in both research and transferrable skills.

The programme is ideal for students who wish to apply advanced statistical methods to real-world biomedical problems, delivering key insights into human health and disease. For the 2026 intake, three or four fully funded studentships are available, each covering University fees and a stipend for three years, along with a generous travel and training budget. The BSU is committed to increasing diversity among its doctoral students and especially encourages applications from under-represented groups, including women and minority ethnic groups.

Applicants should have a strong background in statistics, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline, and an interest in applying statistical methods to biomedical or health-related problems. For further information on eligibility, available PhD projects, and application procedures, prospective students should visit the programme website.

The application deadline is 7th January 2026.