University of Southampton PhD Scholarship in Imaging extracellular earthquakes in 3D for drug delivery (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.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 27, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Southampton
• City to studySouthampton
• School to studyUniversity of Southampton
• Course to studyArtificial Intelligence , Chemistry , Engineering , Physics
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

University of Southampton 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.

Requirements

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

• engineering
• physics
• chemistry

or a related discipline.

Application Documents

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)

Check also:
Wits-Edinburgh Programme in Sustainable African Futures by Mastercard Foundation 2026-2027
Department of Aeronautics MSc Scholarship at Imperial College London 2026

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Apply now

You need to:

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

For more details, visit University of Southampton Scholarship webpage