The Convergence Science Intercalated PhD Pathway
For supervisors
Completed forms should be emailed to icr-imperial-convergence.centre@imperial.ac.uk, using the email title iPhD Preliminary Proposal 2023
Submission Deadline: Midnight, 29th September 2023
Designed for outstanding undergraduate students pursuing the MBBS/BSc degree course, this programme offers a unique proposition – the chance to incorporate a PhD into their educational journey. The PhD phase spans three immersive years of research, following the successful completion of the intercalated BSc (iBSc) in the fourth year of the MBBS degree. Once this research-intensive phase is completed, students seamlessly reintegrate into their undergraduate medical education during the fifth year, enriched with profound insights and innovative skills garnered from their research endeavours. From a supervisor's perspective, the iPhD Programme offers distinct advantages. The collaboration between clinical academics and research experts infuses research projects with diversity and depth. This fusion of medical expertise and research acumen encourages innovative problem-solving and cultivates a comprehensive understanding of complex medical challenges.
The iPhD is fully funded for UK medical undergraduate students who have undertaken an intercalated BSc at the Imperial medical school - which is typically around 340 students each year. Funding supports a tax-free stipend, home fees and consumables costs. Overseas students are also eligible; however, before offers can be made, you must secure support for the difference in international fees.
This is a meeting designed to build cross-institutional supervisory teams and to showcase the breath of engineering and physical science expertise at Imperial, and the cutting-edge cancer research undertaken at the ICR. Supervisors attending this meeting will be given the opportunity to present their research to help connect and integrate approaches in the creation of a preliminary iPhD proposal. It is usually held in the summer of each year. If you are an ICR or Imperial supervisor and you are interested in attending one of our future meetings, please email icr-imperial-convergence.centre@imperial.ac.uk
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The preliminary application stage is to showcase the types of research projects available to prospective students. Prior to showcasing, the proposals will be reviewed by the Clinical Academic Training Subcommittee to ascertain whether they meet the remit (cancer-lead and taking a convergence science approach) of this programme. Proposals in remit will be showcased in October each year.
The medical undergraduates will review the preliminary proposals and select up to three projects that they would like to undertake if interested to do a PhD. The supervisor will be notified, and meeting will be arranged to discuss the opportunity informally. After meeting with the supervisor, students will submit their preferred choices of project/supervisor. Subject to agreement by the supervisor - both parties will work as partners to develop and submit a comprehensive PhD proposal.
An interview with the Clinical Academic Training Subcommittee will be arranged for the candidate, which will include the student and supervisor team to explore the quality, suitability, feasibility, support provided by the supervisory team, and the motivation of the candidate student. Decisions are usually made in May with the commencement of the iPhD in July.
For more information on this exciting opportunity send an email to icr-imperial-convergence.centre@imperial.ac.uk
Training the next generation of convergence scientists
