Explore how environmental exposures cause chronic inflammatory diseases
Fully funded PhD studentships
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Exposome Immunology is a pioneering research programme that explores how environmental exposures at mucosal barriers shape the immune system and drive inflammation.
Our changing global environment has increased exposure to infectious agents and pollution, contributing to a worldwide rise in chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the epidemiological links are clear, we do not yet understand the biological mechanisms underpinning this, limiting our ability to develop prevention and treatment strategies.
This fully funded four-year PhD programme brings together the Medical Research Council (MRC), The University of Manchester and the University of Oxford to understand how environmental exposures regulate the immune system and uncover novel interventions for CIDs.
Applications will open for 2027/28 entry on Monday, 14 September 2026.
About the programme
The MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology initiative combines world-leading expertise in lung and gut barrier immunity, exposome science, and immunological mechanisms, with access to outstanding facilities, bespoke training, and a supportive research culture at Manchester and Oxford.
You’ll have the freedom to explore your own interests and shape your research journey, supported by world-class supervisors from both institutions in a collaborative cohort of researchers addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges.
Why apply for the MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology?
Fully funded studentship
Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees, a tax-free stipend of ~£24,000 per annum for four years, plus lab expenses, training and conference travel.
Five studentships will be available for 2027/28, three at Manchester and two at Oxford.
Shape your project
Choose your preferred research topics and supervisors within our main research themes when applying, then co-develop your project aims when you begin the programme.
Comprehensive training
Receive bespoke training including a term one training programme which equips you with skills and knowledge in environmental science, barrier immunology and a range of wet and dry-lab techniques, and MRC training in leadership, entrepreneurship and careers, and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).
Cohort of researchers
Join a cohort of postgraduate researchers at Manchester and Oxford, building networks and sharing expertise throughout your training and research.
Cross-institution collaboration
Benefit from guidance by supervisors at both Manchester and Oxford, fostering unique collaborations and access to expertise across institutions.
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Placement opportunities
Undertake an optional Silo Switch placement, where you can obtain experience in related professional environments, such as local government, policy makers, industry, or medical communications.
Research themes and supervisors
Five studentships are available for 2027/28 entry
Applications will open for 2027/28 entry on Monday, 14 September 2026.
Three studentships will be available at Manchester and two at Oxford.
Before applying, you will need to decide which institution you would like to apply to. On your application form you will need to state the research topics you’re interested in and three supervisors you’d like to work with.
This is an expression of interest and does not commit you to working with a particular supervisor. Please note, we cannot guarantee that you will work with any particular supervisor.
You will spend your first term developing your project and meeting potential supervisors, before finalizing your supervisory team and project proposal in December 2027.
Therefore, you do not need to contact any supervisors before applying.
PhD projects will span one or more of the following programme research themes:
Students will have the opportunity to study how different exposures affect people of all ages, from children to adults. They’ll examine how specific exposures, like viral infections, smoking, and pollution, impact human health.
The diverse factors that influence how the exposome regulates immunity and disease will generate high volume, high-dimensional, heterogeneous data across biomedical, health, and environmental sciences. The MRC CoRE will use machine learning approaches combined with mathematical modelling to formalise hypotheses and propose new experiments with results feeding back into improved computational models and further experimental cycles.
Data and techniques
- machine learning and artificial intelligence;
- computational biology and bioinformatics;
- multi-omic integration (transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics);
- single cell and spatial analysis;
- microbiota characterisation;
- TCR/BCR sequencing;
- multiplex tissue imaging.
Immune interactomes identified above will generate further mechanistic studies to identify how immune pathways interface across physiological systems to drive maladapted responses to the exposome.
Students will have access to cross-institutional strengths in infection biology, neurobiology, metabolism, and ECM biology. The theme seeks to identify cellular and molecular pathways through which exposome signals alter immunity at barrier sites and are communicated to distal tissues using a range of techniques, including:
- human organotypic;
- organ-on-a-chip and tissue slice models;
- disease positioned and defined microbiome studies;
- advanced tissue imaging (intra-vital, light sheet, spatial transcriptomics) and metabolomics;
- proteomics and matrisome analysis.
Through collaborations between different groups in the MRC CoRE, prioritised mechanistic pathways emerging from biological and computational models will be progressed to human challenge and proof-of-mechanism studies building on established clinical infrastructure across the network.
Ongoing studies including prebiotic and probiotic dietary interventions, bacterial metabolite supplements, antigen and vaccine human challenge and pre- and post-therapy sampling in CIDs will provide human in-vivo datasets for immediate interrogation of exposome-driven pathways.
Widening participation
Committed to equality of opportunity
The MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology maintains a working environment that respects the rights and dignity of all members. Bringing together people with different backgrounds and ways of thinking strengthens the quality, creativity and impact of our ambitious science.
We therefore strive to create an environment where everyone can contribute fully and thrive, encouraging feedback, collaboration, and input from all members, regardless of career stage or role.
We encourage applications from groups currently under-represented within UK postgraduate research training.
Eligibility
Entry requirements
These studentships are available to UK and international applicants.
Competition for studentships is expected to be high.
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.
A master's degree is not a requirement for admission to this PhD programme.
We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Manchester and Oxford.
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How to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying
Applications will open for 2027/28 entry on Monday, 14 September 2026.
Want to be considered for an MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology PhD Programme studentship?
Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide.
Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme.
Check Manchester entry requirements
Decide whether you want to apply via The University of Manchester or the University of Oxford. Applicants can only apply to one.
You will be registered at either Manchester of Oxford, however, you will work closely with colleagues at the partner institution throughout your PhD.
Applicants interested in applying to Oxford should visit this website.
Browse the list of research themes and supervisors available for 2027/28 entry and select three supervisors you’re interested in working with.
Manchester applicants
After completing the above steps, Manchester applicants can apply online using the following information:
- Level of study: Postgraduate Research
- Entry year: 2027/28
- Academic programme: MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology
- Intake: September
For the funding section you should select:
- Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
- Type of funding: 'Research Council'
- Awarding body: MRC
- Status of funding: Awarded
- Funding covers: Fully Funded
- Leave the remaining boxes blank
Learn more about applying to Manchester
Oxford applicants
Oxford applicants should follow the application instructions on the Oxford website:
After you’ve applied, your application and the supervisors you’ve selected will be reviewed by our panel.
The panel will assess applications and invite potential candidates to interview.
Key dates for 2026/27
Dates for your diary
Manchester:
- Applications open: Monday, 14 September 2026
- Application deadline: Monday, 23rd November 2026
- Interviews take place: Week commencing 25 January 2027
Oxford
- Applications open: Monday, 14 September 2026
- Application deadline: Tuesday, 1st December 2026
- Interviews take place: Thursday, 14 January 2027
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Contact us
Have any questions? Get in touch.
If you have any questions about our MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Exposome Immunology PhD Programme contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team.
