PhD in Radiology

PhD students in the Department of Radiology will join one of the department's active research themes, which are currently:

• MRI
• Hyperpolarised MRI
• PET
• Imaging in Oncology
• Breast Imaging
• Cardiac imaging
• Prostate imaging
• Image analysis
• Artificial intelligence
• Multinuclear MRI
• Brain imaging
• Kidney imaging
• Neuroradiology

Students will be supervised by an academic in the University Department of Radiology, and may also be co-supervised by a specialist (such as a medical physicist) in the NHS.

The University Department of Radiology is fully integrated into Addenbrooke's Hospital and students will work with both University and NHS specialists in their research area. Being able to work well as part of a team is essential, but students must also be self-motivated and have the initiative to pursue their research independently, albeit under the guidance of their supervisor.

In addition to the research training provided within the department, as part of the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences students will have access to several other courses to widen their experience and to enable them to acquire or develop technical and practical skills. Students are also likely to attend external meetings and conferences, and when their research is sufficiently developed they could be submitting research posters. In exceptional circumstances, a short verbal presentation may be possible, most likely supporting the supervisor.

Students are expected to attend the weekly Radiology Forum lectures which cover all imaging topics and actively participate in the department's Research Seminars. There are also many opportunities for students to attend other lectures and seminars in the department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, elsewhere in the clinical school and further afield in the University.

Depending on the nature of their research, students may be participating in the recruitment of patients onto trials and closely monitoring their progress. If they have the required training, students may also undertake basic procedures, such as taking samples. Interaction with patients will require either an honorary contract or a research passport from the NHS Trust.

Learning Outcomes

During the course, PhD students will be expected to:

• read and assimilate relevant background information;
• formulate a clear and well-defined hypothesis;
• design an experimental strategy to address the hypothesis;
• acquire the necessary skills and carry out laboratory work;
• interpret experimental data appropriately and draw sound conclusions; and
• write a suitably detailed and formatted thesis.

Continuing

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy their potential supervisor, Head of Department and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree and funding in place.

Open Days