This page will be updated with opportunities as and when they occur.
Currently available funded positions
Sadly, we have no funded positions available currently. Grant proposals have been submitted… check back soon or follow the blog for announcements when posts become available.
Self-funded PhD studentships
We welcome applications from people who have secured funding from, for example, their own government fellowships. See below for more details.
Internships, short placements, work experience and summer projects
There are quite a few funding schemes available to support short placements in the lab. Get in touch, telling me what you want to learn, when and for how long and we’ll help you find and apply for the right opportunity.
Self funded-PhD – Entry requirements
- English language skills: either IELTS of at least 6.5 or a higher degree taken in English. If you do not have either of these, consider doing either an entry course to obtain the IELTS or consider a Masters in Research. I teach on one of the programs at Liverpool (MRes in Clinical Sciences), which is an excellent way to develop research skills in relevant areas before your PhD begins.
- Fees: Find out what the University of Liverpool charges here. (2020: £2163 UK/EU per year, £11825 for international). In addition to these fees, there will be “bench fees” to cover the research costs of your project. The amount required depends on how we construct the project; for example working with transgenic animals is much more expensive than a conventional cell biology project).
- Degree title: I know that some funders have strict requirements about which degree titles are supported by your sponsors. In your offer letter we will write your actual project title,. but the PhD itself will either be either a PhD in “Eye and Vision Science”, in “Medical Science” or in “Musculoskeletal Biology”.
PhD Projects
The majority of my lab studies cell to matrix interaction, often looking at basement membrane function with a particular emphasis on laminins. Basement membranes are essential to the function of every tissue of the body and therefore we can design a project that will be tailored to your interests.
Current and previous areas of research include head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, corneal and skin wound repair, stem cell niche including limbal and halr folicles, lung and ocular fibrosis, diabetic retinopathy.
If you tell me what you are interested in, I will help you develop it into an interesting and exciting PhD project. See the examples below.
Skills
An important thing to consider when choosing a PhD is what skills do you want to learn.
My lab works at every scale: genetic regulation including molecular therapeutics and splicing, protein biochemistry, cell biology, 3D and ex vivo animal and human culture models, transgenic animals, and analysis of human tissues. I particular enjoy using advanced imaging modalities in my research. We can design your project so you leave as an expert in whatever area you desire.
Note that, while lab experience is definitely useful, I don’t expect my students to come in to the lab knowing everything! We will provide training in whatever techniques you require. I also will train you in the other essential skills of a researcher including experimental design, data analysis and writing up your work.
Examples
LaNts in wound repair, stem cell activation and squamous cellcarcinoma. Full description on findaphd.
Taking control of cancer-associated splicing switches. Full description on findaphd.
Next steps and how to apply
- Email me; khamill@liverpool.ac.uk
In that email answer the following questions:
- Why you want to do a PhD.
- What topic area you are interested in.
- What skills you want to learn.
- How you will fund your research e.g. do you intend to apply or have you secured funding? Include any details on rules/deadlines.
- Include a CV.
2. Informal chat. You and I will have an informal chat to discuss some of these things a bit further and to get to know one another.
3. Apply online. Next you and I will prepare the application to the University of Liverpool. This will include a project proposal that is based on the discussion we will have. I will help you with this.
4. Interview with co-supervisors. Once the paperwork is in and our postgraduate team are happy, we will have a short interview with myself and the potential second supervisor and an independent faculty member. After this, I will fill in the final bits of paperwork and the offer letter will be sent out.
Learn more about the lab here.
LaNts and Laminins 