Pakistani students can apply for two PhD studentships involving University College London (UCL) under the London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program (LIDo) for the 2027 cohort.
The opportunities cover research in synthetic biology and systems neuroscience and provide a tax-free stipend at the current UKRI London rate of £23,805 per year, equivalent to around £1,983.75 per month.
Applications for the 2027 LIDo intake opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 December 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
The two available UCL-linked projects are Transmembrane Signal Processing in Synthetic Cells and Visual Coding of Objects During Free Movement.
Both are offered through the LIDo iCASE route, which combines university research with an industry partner.
London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Program | London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program |
| Study Level | PhD |
| Route | iCASE |
| Number of Featured Projects | 2 |
| Pakistani Students | Eligible to apply |
| Stipend | £23,805 per year |
| Monthly Equivalent | Around £1,983.75 |
| Program Duration | 4 years |
| Overseas Tuition Funding | Available on a limited competitive basis |
| International Places With Full Overseas Fees | Up to 7 across LIDo |
| Applications Opened | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Deadline Time | 5:00 PM UK time |
| 2027 LIDo Interviews | 26-28 January 2027 |
1. Transmembrane Signal Processing in Synthetic Cells PhD Studentship
The first project focuses on developing new ways for synthetic cells to sense, process and respond to signals from their environment.
The successful student will conduct doctoral research in UCL’s Department of Chemistry under Dr Michael Booth and Professor Alethea Tabor, while working with researchers from b.next, a San Francisco-based synthetic-cell company.
The research will develop modular and open-source tools for transmembrane signal processing in non-living synthetic cells.
Synthetic cells are engineered structures designed to reproduce selected functions of living cells. Improving their ability to communicate across membranes could support applications in areas including biosensing, smart therapeutics, and biomanufacturing. The project is scheduled to start in September 2027.
Industry Placement in the United States
The selected PhD student will complete a three-month placement at b.next as part of the project.
During the PhD, the researcher will gain experience in areas including cell-free systems, synthetic-cell generation, nucleic-acid manipulation, bioconjugation, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, and bioengineering.
Previous research experience related to synthetic biology is considered highly desirable but is not essential, as the project provides training.
2. Visual Coding of Objects During Free Movement PhD Studentship
The second studentship focuses on systems neuroscience and investigates how the brain distinguishes movement caused by an animal’s own motion from movement generated by objects in the external environment.
Researchers will study neural activity in freely moving mice and develop a closed-loop augmented reality environment that adjusts visual stimuli in real time according to the animal’s position.
The project aims to determine whether areas of the brain, particularly the primary visual cortex and superior colliculus, distinguish between self-generated and externally generated visual motion.
The research will combine neuroscience with computer science, modelling, programming, and behavioural research.
Collaboration With NeuroGEARS
UCL researchers will work with NeuroGEARS Ltd on the project. The selected student will receive training in techniques including Neuropixels 2.0 recordings, high-density electrophysiology, miniature eye tracking, real-time closed-loop programming, systems engineering, and large-scale data analysis.
The project builds on the BonVision open-source virtual reality platform developed through collaboration between NeuroGEARS and the Saleem Lab.
What Does the Funding Cover
LIDo provides funded PhD places through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and its partner institutions.
All BBSRC LIDo studentships cover home-rate tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI London rate. The current stipend is £23,805 per year.
International applicants, including Pakistanis, can also compete for fully funded overseas places.
However, international applicants should note that full overseas tuition coverage is limited rather than automatic.
LIDo can fund up to seven international students at full overseas tuition fee rates across its DTP and iCASE routes.
Who Can Apply
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a first-class or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree, an equivalent overseas qualification, or a Master’s degree in a relevant subject.
LIDo accepts candidates from a wide range of scientific backgrounds, including biological, biomedical, physical, computational, engineering and mathematical disciplines.
Applicants should also demonstrate basic numeracy and confidence using computers.
There is no general GPA 3.3 requirement stated by LIDo for these studentships. International qualifications are assessed against the program’s academic entry standards.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient written and spoken English.
LIDo lists IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component as its preferred English-language standard.
Candidates may also meet the requirement through qualifying education or work conducted in English or another accepted English-language qualification.
Applicants who need an English test but do not yet have a recent result can still submit an application. LIDO may ask successful candidates to provide the required evidence before enrolment.
Documents Required
Applicants complete an online LIDo application and provide information about their education, research experience, interdisciplinary interests and motivation for undertaking a PhD.
The application requires an anonymous CV of no more than two pages, academic transcripts and two references.
The CV should not include identifying information such as the applicant’s name, photograph, age or address because LIDo uses blind shortlisting.
Both references must reach LIDo by the application deadline for the application to be considered.
Applicants also complete a personal statement explaining their motivation, relevant experience, and suitability for interdisciplinary doctoral research.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in either UCL studentship must apply through the LIDo iCASE application route.
Unlike students entering the standard DTP route, iCASE students apply directly to named projects and begin working on their chosen industrial collaborative project from the start of the PhD.
Candidates can select the iCASE projects they are interested in through the LIDo application system.
For the Synthetic Cells project, LIDo also encourages interested applicants to contact primary supervisor Dr Michael Booth for informal inquiries before applying.
Selection and Interviews
LIDo uses a multi-stage selection process. Shortlisted applicants for the 2027 intake are scheduled to attend online interviews on 26, 27 or 28 January 2027.
iCASE candidates first face a general LIDo interview panel. Applicants who successfully pass that stage then attend a second interview with the supervisors responsible for their selected iCASE project.
Find out more details about the Visual Coding of Objects During Free Movement PhD Studentship and
Transmembrane Signal Processing in Synthetic Cells PhD Studentship
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