Warwick Medical School is one of the best places in the UK to undertake research in cell and developmental biology. The Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology provides an interdisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art light microscopy systems, from single molecule optical tweezers to lattice light sheet imaging.

Our supervisors have been trained in world-class research centres around the world and will guide you through challenging research projects at the forefront of science.

You will work on a research project for 12 months and take part in regular cohort activities where you will receive training in research integrity, science communication and critical appraisal of the literature.

Projects are available in a range of topics within cell and developmental biology such as cell migration, chromosome segregation, motor protein dynamics, intracellular transport, endometriosis and T-cell signalling.

Project titles include:

• Rebuilding the cell surface, a watchmakers approach to understand the plasma membrane-cortex interface Supervisor: Darius Koester

• Understanding the regulation of molecular motors and the functional consequences of pathogenic mutations in kinesin-3
  Supervisor: Anne Straube

• Probing the mechanics of nucleosome assembly using in vivo crosslinking strategies
  Supervisor: Andrew Bowman

• Physical influences on collective cell migration
  Supervisor: Michael Smutny

• Dissecting the biochemical & mechanical regulation of immune cell migration
  Supervisor: Aparna Ratheesh

• Determining the forces driving chromosome segregation in human cells
  Supervisor: Andrew McAinsh

• Advanced microfluidics assay for kinesin-dependent microtubule dynamics and mechanics
  Supervisor: Rob Cross

• Exploring T cell signalling using optogenetics
  Supervisor: John James

• CRISPR/Cas tools for in vivo imaging of RNA
  Supervisor: Karuna Sampath

• Revisiting the neck linker model for force generation by kinesin
  Supervisor: Masanori Mishima

• Flagellum assembly and function in protozoan parasites
  Supervisor: Samuel Dean
• Investigating different endometriosis subtypes using in vivo models
  Supervisor: Erin Greaves

Students will undertake an independent research project and submit a thesis (40,000 words).

The thesis will be assessed by an internal and an external examiner who will decide whether a viva is required. 

At least an upper second (2:1) class (UK honours) degree or equivalent. If you hold an international qualification, please consult the International Office webpages for information on UK equivalents.

If you were not educated in English, you will be expected to obtain one of the following recognised English Language qualifications:

• IELTS (British Council International Testing System) overall score of at least 6.5 (with no minimum component scores below 6.0)
• TOEFL (iBT) overall score of at least 92 (with minimum component scores of Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 21)

For further information, please visit the Graduate School English Language Information and Entry Requirements webpage.

• Postgraduate Research Fees: you are responsible for paying the fees associated to the degree

For 2024/2025: Home/EU students: £4,950 and Overseas students: £29,470.

• Your host laboratory will fund the research costs for the project.
• Travel grants are available to students, up to £500. The form and travel fund policy can be found here.

Applications should be made online at http://warwick.ac.uk/pg/apply.

You will apply for the course: RMDA-A35P MSc by Research (Medical Sciences)

You are encouraged to contact supervisors making you application, and will be interviewed by the PGR Academic Leads.