Welcome to join us! 

We value curiosity-driven research over paper-driven work. With us, you will focus on doing something truly interesting or genuinely useful. 

We welcome you to join us through the below pathways:

1. PhD Students

We welcome applications from Master's or outstanding Bachelor's degree holders with backgrounds in biomedical engineering, pharmacy, artificial intelligence, electronic information, or materials science. Applicants should demonstrate solid research capabilities and meet English language requirements for international students (e.g., IELTS 6.5 or above).  

Scholarshop opportunities: 

1.  Funded Doctoral Training Programmes for both domestic and international students: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/centres/doctoral-training-centre.page  

2. University/Faculty/School scholarships  for both domestic and international students

3. International fundings (e.g., CSC scholarship) for international students.

2. Post-Doc Fellowship Applicants

We strongly encourage last-year PhD students or early career postdoctoral researchers to apply for international fellowships such as :

• Newton International Fellowship (https://royalsociety.org/grants/newton-international/)

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships )

• Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship (https://royalcommission1851.org/research-fellowships-eligibility-and-benefits )

• Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships (https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships)

• Wellcome Early-Career Award (https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-early-career-awards)

• Royal academy of engineering reserach fellowship (https://raeng.org.uk/programmes-and-prizes/programmes/uk-grants-and-prizes/support-for-research/research-fellowships/)

Dr Chengchen Zhang has a strong track record in securing prestigious Royal Society Newton  International Fellowship and will provide guidance on proposal writing and application strategy. Fellows joining the lab may have opportunities to supervise PhD students and co-author high-impact publications.

3. Research Assistants

Part-time or full-time research assistant roles are available, offering flexible working hours. Responsibilities may include AI modelling, biomaterial synthesis, and sensor development. This role can serve as a stepping stone toward PhD or postdoctoral applications.

4. Visiting Scholars / Joint PhD Students

We welcome visitors for 6–12 month placements, externally funded by goverments, universities, or industry are recommended. 

How to Apply

Please email the following documents to Dr Chengchen Zhang (chengchen.zhang@soton.ac.uk):

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Research proposal

3. Referee contact information or recommendation letter (if available)

4. Intended position (PhD / Research Assistant / Visiting Scholar / Visiting PhD)