MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology
Gain world-class research training, collaborate across institutions, and tackle global health challenges with the Medical Research Centre (MRC) Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Exposome Immunology.
The MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology is a pioneering research programme that explores how environmental exposures at mucosal barriers shape the immune system and drive inflammation.
Our changing global environment has increased exposure to infectious agents and pollution, contributing to a worldwide rise in chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This fully funded four-year PhD programme brings together the Medical Research Council (MRC), The University of Manchester and University of Oxford to understand how environmental exposures regulate the immune system and to prevent and treat CIDs.
The programme combines world-leading expertise in lung and gut barrier immunity, exposome science, and immunological mechanisms, with access to outstanding facilities, bespoke training, and a supportive research culture at Manchester and Oxford.
You’ll have the freedom to explore your own interests and shape your research journey, supported by world-class supervisors from both institutions in a collaborative cohort of researchers addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges
During your first term you will undertake interdisciplinary training to give you a good grounding in key topics relevant to our research. You will also spend this term developing your project and meeting potential supervisors, before finalizing your supervisory team and project proposal in December 2027.
Students may only apply to one host institution. To learn more about the research themes and training structure, visit the University of Manchester website.
For further information, please contact Sally Pelling-Deeves.
How to apply for an Oxford-hosted place
- Visit the main CoRE website to learn more about the PhD programme, its structure and potential supervisors. You don’t need to contact any of these supervisors before applying, because MRC CoRE PhD students do not finalise their supervisory arrangements until the end of their first term.
- Complete your Oxford application online. It is advisable to complete the form well in advance of the deadline (Tuesday December 1 2026, noon).
- Oxford has multiple PhD programmes. You must use the code RD_MP1 to apply for the D.Phil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine; you must use the code MCM-EICORE as the advertised studentship you are applying for. Please make sure this is clearly stated on the application form to direct your application to the MRC EI Core. 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 on the MRC CoRE website. 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 1 2026. 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.