Southampton 3D Drug Delivery PhD Scholarship 2026

In this PhD project, you’ll explore how vibrating microbubbles can deliver drugs precisely where they’re needed in the body. Using ultrasound, high-speed cameras, and advanced “metalens” microscopes, you'll capture 3D images of how bubbles affect cells and tissues, linking physics, engineering, and biology to develop safer, more effective ultrasound-based medical treatments.

When activated by ultrasound, these tiny gas bubbles vibrate millions of times per second, like an opera singer making a wine glass resonate, producing forces that ripple through surrounding cells and tissues. You’ll develop and use cutting-edge tools, including ultra-high-speed cameras, “metalens” microscopes, and digital image correlation, to capture these vibrations in 3D and link them to biological effects such as drug uptake, cell injury, or tissue repair.

The metalens technology will allow you to see these rapid events in unprecedented detail. Working at the interface of physics, engineering, and biology, and supported by experts in Medicine and Engineering, you’ll uncover how microbubble forces interact with living tissues, helping to design safer, more precise ultrasound-based therapies for healing and drug delivery.

The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity, as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or age and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 27 March 2026
2. Value: Fully Funded (fees + stipend + possible additional bursaries)
3. Study Level: PhD
4. Sponsor: University of Southampton
5. Course to Study: Engineering, Physics, Chemistry (and related fields)
6. Eligible Countries: All nationalities

Eligibility Criteria for Southampton 3D Drug Delivery PhD Scholarship 2026

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:

1. engineering
2. physics
3. chemistry

or a related discipline.

Benefits of Southampton 3D Drug Delivery PhD Scholarship 2026

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to Apply

Apply now

You need to:

1. choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
2. select Full time or Part time
3. search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
4. add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

1. your CV (resumé)
2. 2 academic references
3. degree transcripts and certificates to date
4. English language qualification (if applicable)

Supervisors: Potential Supervisors.

Contacts:

1. Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
2. If you have a general question, email our doctoral college (feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk).
3. Project leader
4. For an initial conversation, email Professor Nick Evans (N.D.Evans@soton.ac.uk).

For more information, kindly visit University of Southampton scholarship webpage.

Application Deadline

March 27, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Southampton 3D Drug Delivery PhD Scholarship 2026