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Life and physical sciences

Transformative research making a difference

Doctoral College studentship applications are now closed. Applications with alternative sources of funding are still welcomed against a research project of your own formulation, or against the topics listed in the areas below:

Our researchers in the life and physical sciences seek to advance fundamental knowledge that will provide real-world solutions to key technological and societal challenges.  Research is underpinned by support and partnership with industry, government departments and civil society. We aim to ensure that our research is applied, or yet to be applied – research that might be characterised as ‘user-inspired basic research’. Thus we pursue research: in disease processes that may lead to new treatments and technologies, through, for example, successful spin-off of partner companies; in understanding human-environment interactions that are the ‘green challenges’ of tomorrow and delivering more sustainable products, lifestyles and policies; and in designing novel engineering solutions to address societal needs.

Researchers at Brighton have:

  • Developed a new bioactive coating to aid integration of dental implants into bone. A spin-out company was established in Italy and over 10,000 implants using this coating were sold in the first year (2008). The graduate student who tested and optimised the technology at Brighton is now R&D Director, and in 2009 the technology was licensed in the US.
  • Developed an effective and low-cost methodology to disinfect water and track waterborne disease transmission. These techniques have been taken up by Médecins Sans Frontiéres in Cholera treatment centres in Haiti and used by UNICEF for rural drinking water in Malawi.
  • Been commissioned by Defra and the Environment Agency to develop a national strategic agenda for outdoor recreation. This was the catalyst for creating: 70 miles of new multiple-use water routes in England; new planning guidance adopted by the Welsh Assembly and; funding of over £1.2 m to more than 50 water-sport groups to increase public opportunities in water recreation.
  • Improved the performance of internal combustion engines through the development of: novel fuel injection equipment and exhaust gas recirculation systems for truck and rail engines that enable attainment of ‘near-zero’ emissions, and; engine tests and adaption of the 2/4Car that will cut the amount of petrol that premium cars use by 27% and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Established a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) clinical research facility with £3 m funding over 5 years. In 2011, the research group was recognized as an Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), enabling the continued development of clinical trials and securing the research infrastructure to enable continued and expanding research activities.

If you are looking to study at PhD level and share these values of originality and relevance to industry and society, please do follow the links on this page and explore the topics on offer.