We will help train the next generation of medical researchers after becoming a partner in a major new Medical Research Council (MRC) doctoral training award.
The new DiMeN-XL Doctoral Landscape Award will support the recruitment and training of around 60 PhD researchers across the five northern universities.
Durham joins the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York and Newcastle in the partnership, which has secured funding from the MRC to continue and expand the highly successful DiMeN (Discovery Medicine for the North) doctoral training programme.
The Durham lead is Professor Adam Benham, Director of Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Biosciences, who will oversee the recruitment and training of Durham's doctoral researchers.
Opportunities for Durham researchers
As part of the programme, Durham is expected to recruit around 15 MRC-funded doctoral researchers over the initial three-year award.
The students will undertake research in areas linked to health inequalities, like cancer and infectious disease. They will also explore how scientific discoveries can be translated into advanced therapies and health technologies.
Beyond their PhD projects, students will receive specialist training designed to equip them for modern biomedical research.
This includes opportunities to develop skills in data science, advanced analytics and AI-enabled research tools. These skills will help researchers translate discoveries from the laboratory into real-world healthcare innovations.
Students will also gain experience working with businesses, NHS organisations, charities and public sector partners through placements, collaborative projects and specialist training.
Supporting health research across the North
The award strengthens Durham's growing contribution to health research and innovation and aligns with wider University initiatives, including our work through the Northern Health Science Alliance.
By bringing together expertise from across the North of England, the programme will help develop highly skilled researchers capable of tackling some of society's most pressing health challenges.
It will also contribute to the continued growth of the region's health and life sciences sector.
The first cohort of students is expected to be recruited early next year to start their PhDs in October 2027.
We are really looking forward to training the next generation of researchers who will develop new knowledge, tools and technologies that will help advance human health for the long-term benefit of the North East region.
This is a fantastic investment in the next generation of medical researchers. DiMeN-XL will create exciting opportunities for Durham doctoral researchers to develop the skills, collaborations and discoveries needed to tackle major health challenges and make a real difference to people's lives.
