Key Takeaways
- Pakistani students can apply for two PhD scholarships at University College London (UCL) starting October 1, 2026.
- The stipend is £23,805 per year, equivalent to around £1,983.75 per month, and covers research in synthetic biology and systems neuroscience.
- Applications close on December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time, with interviews scheduled for January 26-28, 2027.
Pakistani students have an opportunity to pursue advanced research at the prestigious University College London (UCL) through the London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program (LIDo). The program offers two PhD studentships, each focusing on cutting-edge research areas.
The first project, titled 'Transmembrane Signal Processing in Synthetic Cells,' aims to develop new methods for synthetic cells to sense, process, and respond to environmental signals. This research will be conducted under the guidance of Dr Michael Booth and Professor Alethea Tabor in UCL’s Department of Chemistry, with industry collaboration from b.next, a synthetic-cell company based in San Francisco.
The second project, 'Visual Coding of Objects During Free Movement,' investigates how the brain distinguishes between self-generated and externally generated visual motion. This research will involve studying neural activity in freely moving mice and developing a closed-loop augmented reality environment.
Both projects are part of the LIDo iCASE route, which combines university research with industry partnerships. The stipend for these scholarships is £23,805 per year, equivalent to approximately £1,983.75 per month, and is tax-free.
The application process for the 2027 LIDo intake opened on October 1, 2026, and will close on December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for January 26-28, 2027.
Eligible Pakistani students are encouraged to apply, with previous research experience in synthetic biology considered desirable but not essential. The program is designed to provide comprehensive training in areas such as cell-free systems, synthetic-cell generation, nucleic-acid manipulation, bioconjugation, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, and bioengineering.
For more information, interested students can visit the official LIDo program page or contact the relevant UCL departments directly.
The application process is competitive, and only a limited number of overseas tuition fees are available. Students are advised to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline to ensure they are considered.
