Research profile
Join an internationally recognised environment for research excellence – Brunel is ranked #3 and #5 in the UK for sport and exercise research in terms of research intensity and power, respectively (REF2014), and highest for sport and exercise research in London.
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.
Learn more about research in this area.
Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups
- Applied Respiratory Research Group
- Brunel Partners Academic Centre for Health Sciences
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group
- Health Behaviour Change
- Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Agents
- Institute of Communities and Society
- Kidspace: Key skills and participation in childhood
- Organ-on-a-Chip
- Pollution Research and Policy
- Smart Technology Advancements in Health and Rehabilitation
Find a supervisor
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
PhD topics
While we welcome applications from students with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:
- Ageing-related pre-mRNA splicing of LMNA gene, supervised by Evgeny Makarov
- Antimicrobial resistance in marine mammals (seals) from polluted waters, supervised by Gera Troisi and Ashley Houlden
- Budding yeast as a model for sudden cardiac death, supervised by Thomas Hofken
- Central Nervous system Gene therapy to treat obesity Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). Analysis of the BBS brain development, supervised by Victor Hernandez
- Deep Learning for Medical Imaging, supervised by Yongmin Li
- Deep learning-based autonomous diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract cancers, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- Development of a miniature capsule robot for capsule endoscopy, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- Development of a novel PCR-based assay to evaluate CAR-T safety using a human-based genotoxicity model, supervised by Michael Themis
- Differential expression patterns and transport characteristics of aged cells, supervised by Gudrun Stenbeck
- Genetic and non-genetic factors involved in risk of cardiovascular diseases, supervised by Raha Pazoki
- Health data analysis to identify the role of gene and environment in risk of cardiovascular diseases, supervised by Raha Pazoki
- Hypoxia-driven macrophage modulation in cancer and its impact on T cell immunotherapy, supervised by Doreen Lau
- Identification of determinants of sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias using population studies, supervised by Raha Pazoki
- Individual histone modification roles in regulation of transcription and cell decision-making, supervised by Cristina Correia Antunes Pina
- Investigating molecular disease mechanisms and therapy of Friedreich ataxia, supervised by Sara Anjomani Virmouni
- Investigating the function of common genetic variants that increase colorectal cancer risk., supervised by Annabelle Lewis
- Investigating Therapeutic Effect of Different Antioxidants in Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA), supervised by Sara Anjomani Virmouni
- Machine learning approaches in health data science for risk prediction of cardiovascular diseases, supervised by Raha Pazoki
- Multi-omics data analysis for critical disease prediction, supervised by Yang Yang
- Nanoparticles in drug delivery, supervised by Gudrun Stenbeck
- Repo-Man function in embryogenesis and differentiation, supervised by Paola Vagnarelli
- Role of CDCA/PP1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), supervised by Paola Vagnarelli
- Study of the ageing-related pre-mRNA splicing of the LMNA gene, supervised by Evgeny Makarov
- Study of the exosomes: RNA composition of exosomes as potential biomarkers for cancer; Exosomes as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic shRNAs, supervised by Evgeny Makarov
- Sustainable products & processes - help industry ditch the plastic and toxic chemicals!, supervised by Gera Troisi
- Targeting TERT and the MYCN gene network as a novel therapeutic approach for high-risk neuroblastoma, supervised by Arturo Sala
- Telomere length elongation following treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs., supervised by Terry Roberts
- Testing the efficacy of virtual reality and action simulation training for improving balance in children/young adults with movement coordination difficulties, supervised by Adam Bruton, Carla Harkness-Armstrong, Aliah Shaheen and Rebecca Hings
- The impact of chromosomal rearrangements on the genome organisation of leukaemia cells., supervised by Sabrina Tosi
- The impact of heat stress on human health, performance, and function across the lifecourse, supervised by Oliver Gibson
- The mutations in TP53 gene from the glioma patients that trigger the aberrant pre-mRNA splicing, supervised by Evgeny Makarov
- The role of PE/PPE proteins in tuberculosis, supervised by Anthony Tsolaki
- Understanding the mechanisms behind age-related balance and movement change, and/or exploring strategies to improve balance, function, and wellbeing in the older adult population, supervised by Daniel Low
Research journey
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.
Research support
Careers and your future
Following the completion of the course students may follow several career paths:
- Career path within academia starting as a University Lecturer/Assistant Professor
- Career progression within research institutes commencing as a post-doc researcher and progressing to senior researcher
- Career path within government agencies (e.g., Sport England, UK Sport, English Institute of Sport, Department of Health, Hospitals, etc.)
- Career path within Sport organisations and charities
- Career path in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy research
- Professional Education and Training of Physiotherapists or Occupational Therapists
The Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences has strong links with local NHS trusts, national and international governing bodies of sport, hospitals and professional sports clubs such the Premier League, FIFA, UEFA, English Institute of Sport, UK Sport, GB Shooting, Lawn Tennis Association, etc. The Division of Physiotherapy and the Division Occupational Therapy and Community Nursing have also strong collaborative links with several key London hospitals and NHS trusts.
UK entry requirements
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 7 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 68% (58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 98 overall (min 20)
Fees and funding
2024/5 entry
International
£23,615 full-time
£11,805 part-time
UK
£4,786 full-time
£2,393 part-time
