NI-ADAPT will equip researchers to bridge a critical gap between scientific discovery and clinical application

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Funded by UKRI Medical Research Council

About NI-ADAPT

The Northern Ireland Advanced Drug and Pharmaceutical Translation Programme is a Medical Research Council Doctoral Landscape Award led by Queen’s University Belfast School of Pharmacy in partnership with Ulster University.

NI-ADAPT will train PhD researchers, with the first students joining the four-year programme in October 2027.

Read more about NI-ADAPT

Recruiting the most talented researchers into an inclusive and supportive research culture where they can thrive.

Research themes

Students will be recruited to one of three research theme areas

Drug Repurposing, AI Tools & Mechanistic Validation

PhD projects coming soon

Mucosal Delivery & Barrier Biology

PhD projects coming soon

Advanced Therapeutics & Host Response

PhD projects coming soon

Disease areas

The themes tackle disease areas of focus, so projects will be offered to address issues in the disease areas of:

  • Cancer
  • Infection & antimicrobial resistance
  • Lung disease
  • Vision loss
Year 1Foundations
  • Induction – Supervisory expectations; Sustainable Research; Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) – Principles
  • Thematic Mini Project 1
  • Thematic Mini Project 2
  • Research Integrity, Ethics & Statistics
  • AI in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research
  • Thematic Core Principles
  1. Year 2Development
    • PhD Research Project
    • AI for Health
    • Disease Focused Components
  2. Year 3Development
    • PhD Research Project
    • Enterprise Essentials
    • Quality Assurance & Regulatory
  3. Year 4Completion & Transition
    • PhD Research Project Preparing for Viva
    • Thesis Writing – Science Communication
    • Transition Skills
    • Thesis & Viva

Training & support

Built for research, healthcare and industry

Personalised Skills Training

Across all four years, training tailored to your individual development needs and career aspirations, offered by the QUB Graduate School and the UU Doctoral College.

Placements

In Years 2 or 3, a 6 to 12 week placement to explore careers outside academia and build your network.

Student Voice

A student-chaired Student Voice Committee and the annual Student-led Conference help shape how the programme runs.

Explore training & support

Latest news

NI wins major MRC investment to train the next generation of life-sciences leaders

Northern Ireland has secured one of 14 prestigious MRC doctoral awards across the UK, bringing a multi-million-pound investment to train scientists in drug discovery, pharmaceutical innovation and clinical translation.

Queen’s University Belfast Ulster University

NI-ADAPT team outside Queen’s University Belfast

Your next chapter

Join our first cohort

Applications open in December 2026. Our first students will start in October 2027.

Applicant eligibility, available projects, the studentship package and application instructions will be published ahead of recruitment.

Enquire about NI-ADAPT
Applications openDecember 2026
Programme startsOctober 2027
Programme durationFour years