Tanya Aplin

[Fully funded studentship: 3 years of fees plus a maintenance stipend at the UKRI level (£23,805 for 2026-2027) for three years, with small annual inflationary increases.] King’s College London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship on “Incentives and Barriers: Patent Law in the Age of the 3Rs” . The project sits at the intersection of intellectual property law, innovation policy, technology regulation, and animal welfare , and is aligned with KCL’s newly launched interdisciplinary centre focused on the 3Rs. The research examines whether patent law is helping or hindering the adoption of alternatives to animal testing. It will consider how patentable subject matter, including the patentability of life forms and computer simulations, affects the development and accessibility of new technologies such as organ-on-chips and AI-based in silico models . A key aim is to understand whether patent rights can both incentivise innovation and restrict access, potentially leaving some researchers reliant on animal experimentation. The project will build on literature concerning research tools and licensing mechanisms, including clearinghouses and patent pledges, and aims to make an interdisciplinary, policy-relevant contribution to debates on how patent systems should respond to the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use in research. Funding: This is a fully funded studentship covering 3 years of fees plus a maintenance stipend at the UKRI level. The advert states a 2026–2027 stipend rate of £23,805 , with small annual inflationary increases. Eligibility: Applications are open to any nationality . The advert seeks candidates with an interest in intellectual property law, innovation, technology regulation, animal welfare, or related legal research areas. Supervision: The project will be supervised by Dr Johnathon Liddicoat and Professor Tanya Aplin . How to apply: Apply through the Law Research MPhil/PhD programme via Kings Apply. In the funding section of the admissions form, tick the box indicating you have applied to a King’s funding scheme and use award scheme code LAW2027 . The deadline is 1 December 2026 .