Program Overview
The program is housed within the Institute of Infection and Global Health, a leading research institute dedicated to tackling significant health challenges of the 21st century. The program's research is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories and employs a variety of techniques to investigate the transmission routes and behavior of pathogens during infections, ultimately using this knowledge to design improved therapeutic strategies and vaccines for human health.
Program Outline
The program encompasses a comprehensive exploration of virulence mechanisms, virus epidemiology, and immune responses to viruses. The program is housed within the Institute of Infection and Global Health, a leading research institute dedicated to tackling significant health challenges of the 21st century. The Institute boasts a strong reputation for its research, with 156 research students and a research income of £9.5 million. The program's research is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories located in the Ronald Ross Building and ic2 Building on the University's main city center campus. The research focuses on a wide range of viral pathogens, including:
- Flaviviruses: Japanese encephalitis virus, Zika virus
- Ebola virus
- Chikungunya virus
- HIV
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Cytomegalovirus and other herpesviruses The research employs a variety of techniques, including:
- Diagnostic identification methods
- Flow cytometry
- ELISA
- Epidemiology
- Transcriptomic and genomic technologies
- Proteomics
- Infection models The program's research aims to investigate the transmission routes and behavior of pathogens during infections, ultimately using this knowledge to design improved therapeutic strategies and vaccines for human health.
Careers:
The Virology PhD/MPhil/MD program equips students with the scientific and transferable skills necessary for a successful career in research. The program's emphasis on cutting-edge research and collaboration with leading researchers provides graduates with a strong foundation for pursuing careers in:
- Academic research
- Government agencies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology companies
Other:
The program benefits from close collaboration with NHS colleagues through the Liverpool Health Partners Academic Health Science System. This collaboration provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world research and gain valuable clinical experience. The program's research interests include:
- Emerging and Zoonotic infections: Prof Julian Hiscox, Prof Tom Solomon, Prof Lisa Ng, Dr Lance Turtle, Dr Geogios Pollakis
- Gastrointestinal infections: Prof Nigel Cunliffe, Prof Miren Iturizza-Gomara
- Respiratory infections: Prof Julian Hiscox, Prof James Stewart, Dr Qibo Zhang
- Neurological infections: Prof Tom Solomon, Dr Mike Griffiths
- Developing novel tools for studying HIV-1 vaccine efficacy and viral reservoir sized: Prof Bill Paxton, Dr Georgios Pollakis The program's research themes encompass a wide range of virus families linked to various clinical diseases, including:
- Emerging and Zoonotic infections: Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Chikungunya virus, Ebola virus
- Gastrointestinal infections: Rotavirus, Noravirus
- Respiratory infections: Influenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus
- Blood borne viruses: Human Immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus
- Neurological infections: Herpes Simplex virus, Japanese encephalitis virus The University and Institute provide state-of-the-art facilities for virology research, including:
- Containment Level 3 (CL3) Suite
- Flow cytometry
- Genomics and Proteomics facilities Students can undertake research with a range of supervisors and research groups in the Institute, including:
- Brain Infections Group
- Gastrointestinal Infections Group
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (LUCINDA)
- Respiratory and Emerging Viruses Group
Tuition and fees for the 2024/25 academic year are as follows: MPhil / PhD / MD Duration UK students International Students Full time 2-4 years £4,786 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B) Part time 4-6 years £2,393 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B) The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
- Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter. ^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
