MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology
Hosted by the University of Manchester & the University of Oxford
The MRC Centre for Research Excellence (CoRE) in Exposome Immunology invites engaged, curious, and forward-thinking students to join a fully funded 4-year PhD program launching in 2025/26.
Are you a PhD student passionate about immunology, environmental science, genetics, or systems biology? Ready to define your own research path and tackle global challenges like asthma, COPD, or IBD?
Exposome immunology is going live! From air pollution to infectious agents, the exposome encompasses all the environmental exposures we experience throughout life. These exposures profoundly influence immune function—especially at mucosal surfaces like the lungs and gut—and contribute to the global epidemic of chronic inflammatory diseases. This program seeks to uncover how environmental factors shape the immune system, using cutting-edge techniques in barrier immunology, big data, and experimental medicine, and how this knowledge can be translated into interventions that improve human health.
What sets this PhD program apart is not just the topic but its flexibility and student-centred approach. From the start, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your interests across three core research pillars: Data Foundations, Mechanistic Barrier Immunology, and Experimental Medicine. You’ll be able to indicate your preferred research themes and potential supervisors when you apply, and once accepted, you’ll have time to meet supervisors and explore different labs before deciding on your project. Each student will co-develop their own research direction with their primary supervisor at their host institution (either Manchester or Oxford) and a co-supervisor from the partner university, ensuring rich cross-institutional collaboration.
Throughout the program, you’ll be supported as part of a diverse cohort that bridges both institutions. Training is built into the program from day one, with a tailored curriculum covering everything from fundamental immunology and exposome science to wet-lab techniques (such as flow cytometry and cell culture) and dry-lab skills (including bioinformatics, mathematical modeling, and health data science). Students will also benefit from broader doctoral training opportunities in leadership, entrepreneurship, and science communication through the MRC doctoral training partnership.
This PhD programme is a launchpad into the future of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environment, immunity, and health.
Applications for 2026/2027 entry are now open. Students may only apply to one host institution. To learn more about the research themes, training structure, and how to apply, visit the University of Manchester website.
For further information, please contact Claudia Monaco, University of Oxford.
How to apply
- Visit the main CoRE website to learn more about the PhD programme, its structure and potential supervisors.
- Complete your Oxford application online. It is advisable to complete the form well in advance of the deadline (Tuesday December 2 2025, noon).
- Oxford has multiple PhD programmes. You must use code MCM-EICORE as the programme you are applying for. Please make sure this is clearly stated on the application form to direct your application to the MRC EI Core. You can apply to only one programme per application. If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
- Please list three Oxford Exposome Immunology group leaders on your application form in the supervisors box. On enrolment to the programme in the first term you will have the opportunity to meet with each of these researchers and spend time in their labs, and you will select one of these with whom to co-develop your PhD project. You can find the list of eligible group leaders and their emails here. Group leaders who are not listed here are not eligible to supervise students in this scheme this year.
- Ensure that your application is submitted (with the correct programme code and eligible three group leaders nominated), application fee paid and that your referees have uploaded their letters of support by noon on Tuesday December 2 2025. Incomplete applications by the deadline will not be evaluated. It is your responsibility to give significant warning to your referees and make sure they submit on time.
Stipend level and funding details
- Stipend *tax free” funding for 4 years (~£24,000 per annum), all tuition/fees, including funding for laboratory expenses, training and conference travel
- We encourage applications from UK and ROI students, although overseas applications are welcome too.