PhD/MPhil Endocrinology & Diabetes

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

Apply online

Before applying you must:

• Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
• Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
• Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
• Read our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Before you start your application, you should:

• Identify the programme or find the specific research project you'd like to apply for.
• Contact the listed project supervisor and speak to them about your suitability for the project.
• Understand how your project is funded or, if you are self-funding, you should have an idea of how you are funding your project and have discussed this with your supervisor.

If you already have funding:

• Find a specific self-funded project and contact the project supervisor to talk to them about your suitability for the project; OR
• Determine your own research project and title, find a potential supervisor in this research area and contact them to discuss supervising your research.

Supporting documents

You'll also need to make sure you have the following documents before you apply:

• Personal statement
• Certificates and transcripts
• CV
• Confirmation of funding (if you are self-funded)
• English language ability
• Names and details of two referees to support your application

Visit our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more about the information required for each of these supporting documents.

Any missing information may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

• January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
• April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
• September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Our PhD/MPhil Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Endocrinology is the study of hormones: chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by specialised cells from particular tissues and organs.  Every cell in the body is under hormonal regulation. Hormone action can also be autocrine (the same cell) or paracrine (neighbouring cells) making growth factors and many cytokines part of endocrinology. The goal for clinical endocrinology is to improve care for patients with disorders of the hormone-secreting organs or defective hormone action on target cells.

Diabetes is defined by a failure to control circulating glucose levels within set limits due to inadequate amounts and/or action of the hormone insulin. Insulin is secreted from the beta-cells of the pancreatic islets and regulates much of the body's metabolism, not just glucose levels. Cellular damage due to long-term diabetes affects many organs and tissues including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and the heart.  Because of this complexity and importance, diabetes has grown into its own specialty alongside endocrinology. Our principal investigator-led research spans discovery science in the laboratory translated through to internationally-funded clinical trials and innovative new treatment strategies, such as islet transplantation. 

Research activities within this programme run from fundamental basic research through to clinical translation and patient based research. An integrated 'bench-to-bedside' translational approach is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for regulating our physiology in both health and disease.  Working together in purpose-built facilities provides for a stimulating and cutting-edge environment.

Research within this programme is focused on the following themes:

Biological Timing - Our internal body (circadian) clock is essential in regulating most aspects of our physiology and behaviour. The University of Manchester has one of the largest group of circadian biologists in Europe, housed within the Centre for Biological Timing (CfBT).  Example research programmes include: molecular mechanisms within the body clock; the impact of light, environment and behaviour on our body clock, health, and wellbeing; circadian control of metabolism, inflammation and behaviour.

Endocrinology and Diabetes - We have active research programmes across endocrinology, including energy metabolism, diabetes complications, epidemiology, human development, and the interplay between circadian rhythms and the endocrine system. Work across our grouping employs a variety of approaches including cell biology, pre-clinical model organisms of behaviour, and human studies ranging from experimental medicine to large-scale cohort analysis.

Gastroenterology and nutrition - Research activities extend from understanding basic physiology and mechanisms of gut and liver disease, through to innovations in investigation and treatment. Key research areas are neurogastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, liver fibrosis and clinical nutrition. We adopt multidisciplinary approaches from basic model systems through to clinical studies and interventional trials.

Metabolism and obesity - We are also interested in the brain and how it regulates appetite, blood glucose levels, body weight and energy expenditure.  An understanding of these systems may allow them to be manipulated in the future to control metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

Molecular and cellular physiology - We have active interests across physiology, including the extracellular homeostasis, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fibrotic disease, as well as sensing of calcium, glucose, fatty acids, ions and other fundamental nutrients, both in health and disease.   We employ a variety of in vitro and in vivo approaches, including bioimaging, and advanced molecular and functional techniques to address a range of metabolic questions.

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate. Find out more on the  Careers  page.