PhD Studentship: Brain Waves: Modelling human neural induction with pluripotent stem cells

Primary supervisor - Prof Grant Wheeler

How is a healthy nervous system is formed in the embryo? This question is fundamental for understanding evolution of human development and inborn errors that cause congenital defects and miscarriage. However, around the stage of implantation into the uterus, human embryos become inaccessible for study.

Fortunately, pluripotent stem cells may be induced to self-organise into neural tissues in vitro. In this PhD project you will exploit this experimental model to investigate how waves of coordinated cell differentiation contribute to human neural induction in vitro. You will use a combination of live time-lapse imaging, molecular analyses, and optionally, computational modelling. This project aims to advance our understanding of human neural induction and ultimately to shed new light on human developmental disease.

The project provides interdisciplinary training in molecular, stem cell and developmental biology, microscopy, and bioinformatics, with an additional opportunity to learn computer modelling. You will be part of a dedicated developmental biology laboratory, where you will work and learn alongside other highly interactive research groups as part of the Norwich Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Network.

We are excited to hear from potential applicants and encourage informal enquiries. Please contact Prof. Grant Wheeler (grant.wheeler@uea.ac.uk) or Dr Tim Grocott (t.grocott@uea.ac.uk) for further information.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study

Full time

Start date

1 October 2026

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

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