Funded Opportunities at NDCN
Mabel Churn Scholarship in Ophthalmology
Every three years, St Cross College plans to invite applications for the Mabel Churn Scholarship from successful applicants normally resident in the UK who have an offer to begin studying at the University of Oxford for a DPhil research degree in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN) in any area of retinal research.
STUDENTSHIP WITH INTERVENTIONAL GENETICS AND ROBOTICS FOR RETINAL DISEASE GROUP
Project: Understanding retinal degeneration for the purpose of optogenetic vision restoration
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Supervisors:
Dr Jasmina Cehajic Kapetanovic (www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/jasmina-kapetanovic)
and Dr Matteo Rizzi (https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/25636-matteo-rizzi)
Inherited retinal degenerations are the leading cause of blindness in working age population. Despite this, there is only one approved gene therapy treatment for RPE65-related disease and several others in development. These therapies may not be suitable in late-stage degenerations with significant photoreceptor loss. Here optogenetic therapy has potential to restore vision.
In this ambitious project, you will aim to answer several fundamental questions related to our understanding of molecular and cellular basis of retinal degeneration, before optogenetic therapy can be translated into the clinic. If successful, the therapy has potential to treat any type of retinal degeneration (pan-retinal or macular) irrespective of genetic mutation. This research project will be conducted within the NDCN which provides a dedicated centre for eye research within the John Radcliffe Hospital site. The infrastructure provided is world class and space, research facilities and technical support on the proposed project will be readily available on site. In addition, there is an excellent offering of seminars, thematic group meetings and training courses, all presenting opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Parts of the project involving functional assays are also planned at UCL.
Apart from overarching supervision by Dr Kapetanovic and Dr Rizzi with unparalleled expertise in this field, you will have access to bench-side support from postdoctoral scientists in the group and work alongside several other DPhil students. Our group has active collaborations with institutes and biotechnology companies worldwide. As clinician scientists, we are dedicated to translating research findings to benefit our patients.
Eligibility: This studentship is fully funded through the prestigious Fight for Sight Award, UKVRN DTP, and is open to both Home and Overseas students.
Award Value: Please note that this studentship covers UK home fees only. Overseas students would need to pay the difference between home and international fees themselves. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is Y1 £21,612; Y2 £22,476; Y3 £23,375, Y4 24,310. Continuation fees can be negotiated in exceptional circumstances. The successful candidate is strongly encouraged to present at National and International conferences and costs will be covered. All project related consumables are also covered.
Application Procedure
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Dr Jasmina Cehajic Kapetanovic (jasmina.kapetanovic@eye.ox.ac.uk).
Please contact graduate@ndcn.ox.ac.uk with any admission process-related questions.
Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available here.
Application deadline: noon Friday 7th August 2026.
STUDENTSHIP WITH THE ASAP COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH NETWORK
Project: Deciphering the Aggregatome: Unraveling Alpha-Synuclein Seeding Drivers in Parkinson’s Disease
Supervisors: Prof Laura Parkkinen and Dr Livia Civitelli (University of Oxford, www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/laura-parkkinen)
Parkinson's disease progresses at different rates in different people, but the reasons remain unclear. A key pathological feature of the disease is the aggregation of alpha-synuclein, yet the molecular factors that determine its ability to spread ("seed") are still poorly understood. This project aims to identify the aggregatome—the molecular environment surrounding alpha-synuclein aggregates, including proteins, post-translational modifications (PTMs), lipids, glycosaminoglycans, and other cofactors—that influences alpha-synuclein seeding. By analysing samples from the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, skin, and stool, the project seeks to improve our understanding of disease progression and support the development of better biomarkers and personalized therapies.
The project is part of the ASAP (Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s) Collaborative Research Network (CRN), a collaboration between the University of Oxford, the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, and LMU Munich (https://www.asapcrn.org/research-community/teams/mann/.) Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in seed amplification assays, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, advanced biochemistry, neuropathology, and access to unique longitudinal patient cohorts with matched biosamples.
The research will be based in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, which offers a world-class research environment, cutting-edge facilities, and close integration with clinical practice. The department provides outstanding laboratory infrastructure, technical support, and a wide range of seminars, specialist meetings, and training courses that promote collaboration and professional development.
In addition to supervision from Prof. Parkkinen and Dr Civitelli, the successful candidate will receive day-to-day laboratory support from senior scientists and work alongside PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with expertise in spatial omics, proteomics, and amyloid biology. The studentship also offers extensive opportunities for international collaboration through the ASAP network, including data sharing via the CRN Cloud.
Eligibilty: This studentship is funded by the ASAP CRN and both Home and Overseas students are welcome to apply. Please note, however, that this studentship covers UK home fees only and UKRI-matched stipend. Overseas students would need to fund the difference between home and international fees themselves.
Application Procedure
Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof Laura Parkkinen (laura.parkkinen@ndcn.ox.ac.uk).
Please contact graduate@ndcn.ox.ac.uk with any admission process-related questions.
Candidates must submit a graduate application to the DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences, and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available here.
Application deadline: noon Friday 7th August, 2026.
NDCN scholarships
NDCN offers a number of fully-funded scholarships for students, funded from a variety of sources including Department funding, the Wellcome Trust, MRC, and the Clarendon Fund. If you apply to the December deadline then your application will be automatically included for consideration for one of these awards. Most scholarships are awarded between February and June.
ICASE 2026/27 (MRC ENTERPRISE STUDENTSHIP PROGRAMMe)
Eight industrial CASE (iCASE) studentships are available for doctoral study at Oxford, to start in October 2026.
Applications to the MRC Enterprise studentship programme must be received by 12 noon (UK time) Tuesday 2 December 2025.
How to apply for iCASE
You should complete a DPhil application via the central application system, stating the name of the project you would like to be considered for and the supervisors’ names in the relevant application sections. Please seek supervisor support before applying. There is no need to include a project proposal with your application, if you are only applying for an iCase project, as you are applying for a studentship for a specific project.
How to apply for both iCASE and ALSO standard DPhil admission
You are allowed to submit one application for both an iCASE application and a standard DPhil application together. However, please note that for a standard DPhil application, you must secure the support of a prospective supervisor for your project before applying. For more information about this, please see the section on our prospective students' page about finding a supervisor.
When completing your application form, state both the iCASE project you are applying for AND your own project title. In the supervisors’ names’ section, list your proposed DPhil supervisor(s) for your own standard project, but also include the word iCASE. If you are applying for both, you must include a project proposal for your standard project (but not for the iCase project). Once received, your application will be considered for both iCASE and standard DPhil admission at the same time, providing a project proposal is included for a standard DPhil project.
If no project proposal is included for a standard DPhil project, your application will only be considered for the iCase project.
Restorative Neural Dynamics CoRE
There are six projects available this year.
Applications must be received by 12 noon (UK time) Tuesday 2 December 2025. Use code 26NDCN01MRC on your application.
How to apply for CORE
You should complete a DPhil application via the central application system, stating the name of the project you would like to be considered for and the supervisors’ names in the relevant application sections. Please seek supervisor support before applying, and apply for only 1 CoRE project. There is no need to include a project proposal with your application, if you are only applying for a CoRE project, as you are applying for a studentship for a specific project. Use code 26NDCN01MRC on your application.
How to apply for both core and ALSO standard DPhil admission
You are allowed to submit one application for both an CoRE application and a standard DPhil application together. However, please note that for a standard DPhil application, you must secure the support of a prospective supervisor for your project before applying. For more information about this, please see the section on our prospective students' page about finding a supervisor.
When completing your application form, state both the CoRE project you are applying for AND your own project title. In the supervisors’ names’ section, list your proposed DPhil supervisor(s) for your own standard project, but also include the word CoRE. If you are applying for both, you must include a project proposal for your standard project (but not for the CoRE project). Once received, your application will be considered for both CoRE and standard DPhil admission at the same time, providing a project proposal is included for a standard DPhil project.
If no project proposal is included for a standard DPhil project, your application will only be considered for the CoRE project.