PhD in Cardiovascular Medicine: Decoding Epicardial Fat–Driven Cardiac Dysfunction at King's College London King's College London in United Kingdom

King's College London is offering a fully funded Darwin Trust PhD studentship in the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. The project, supervised by Joaquim Miguel Vieira and co-supervised by Anna Zoccarato, focuses on 'Decoding epicardial fat–driven cardiac dysfunction using hiPSC-derived 3D tissues: a translational approach to heart failure.' This research will utilize engineered heart tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to model epicardial lineage transitions and investigate the interactions between epicardial fat and myocardium. The training will span stem cell biology, tissue engineering, omics, bioinformatics, and translational cardiovascular research, providing a comprehensive foundation for a career in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular science.

The Darwin Trust studentship is open to candidates who are not UK nationals, specifically those who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background (including mixed backgrounds) and are resident on the continent of Africa at the time of application. Applicants must have received their first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent, or Master's degree) less than five years before the application deadline. The award covers a four-year student stipend, tuition fees, and consumable support, making it an excellent opportunity for eligible students interested in advanced cardiovascular research.

To apply, candidates should review the project catalogue, select their preferred project, and submit an application for a full-time MPhil/PhD in Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences (as a placeholder) via the King’s Apply online system. Applicants must enter the funding code 2026Darwin and select Project R, ensuring they upload a full CV and personal statement. The name of the 1A supervisor from the chosen project should also be included in the application. The deadline for applications is 30 January 2026, or when 50 applications have been received. For further details, visit the King's College London website or the Darwin Trust PhD studentship scheme page.

This opportunity is ideal for ambitious candidates eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in cardiovascular and regenerative medicine, with a focus on translational approaches to heart failure.