MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Clinical Trial Innovation

The Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence for Clinical Trial Innovation (MRC CoRE CTI) is a newly established centre of excellence for clinical trials methodology, which is a collaboration across six universities. Our innovative trial designs will speed up the process of evaluation, address complex questions and adapt as new evidence emerges. Our work will establish the integrity, efficiency and acceptability of these novel designs. Then, through exemplar trials and comprehensive training, we will partner with the international research community, empowering clinicians, patients, clinical trials units and industry to adopt these designs. This will transform the trials landscape, speeding progress in multiple disease areas.

The MRC CoRE CTI PhD programme offers various projects including multi-arm multi-stage trials, non-inferiority trials, digital outcome measures and personalised randomised controlled trials. This year we are able to offer up to 5 funded PhDs. Details of the research projects proposals are available below. To apply, you need to identify a research project that suits you to ensure a proper match between your research interests and your prospective supervisors. It is a requirement that you contact the supervisor of the project(s) you wish to apply for before submitting your application.

In addition to joining the graduate training programme at their home institution, successful applicants will also join the Trials and Methodology Research Partnership Doctoral Training Partnership (TMRP DTP), which offers additional support, networking events and internship opportunities.

Funding

Studentships are fully funded for 3 years and cover: (i) an annual tax-free stipend at the standard Research Council rate (at least £20,780 for 2025/2026), (ii) research costs, and (iii) tuition fees at the UK rate. Studentships can be extended on a case-by-case basis: for example, three months’ extra funding is guaranteed if students opt to take a three-month placement during their PhD.

Key dates

• Closing Date for applications: Monday 26th January 2026 at 12:00 Noon
• Interviews take place: w/c 2nd March 2026

Eligibility

MRC studentships are available to both UK and international applicants. Residency rules apply. Further information about eligibility can be found on the UKRI webpages. Please contact the DTP team at enquiries@methodologyhubs.mrc.ac.uk if you wish to discuss further.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an MSc in an appropriate subject as well as a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualifications).

Closing Date for applications: Monday 26th January 2026 at 12:00 Noon

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all areas of our community regardless of; age, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation, amongst other protected characteristics.

Projects

Designing late phase basket platform trials at UCL, lead project supervisor Dr Babak Choodari-Oskooei.

Generic MAMS designs: Multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) designs with all types of intermediate and definitive outcomes at UCL, lead project supervisor Dr Babak Choodari-Oskooei.

Adapting personalised randomised controlled trial designs to increase efficiency and allow simultaneous assessment of intervention intensity, UCL, lead project supervisor Dr Becky Turner.

Proportional odds model and win ratio: how can we ensure results are meaningful? UCL, lead project supervisor Professor Ian White.

Design solutions for differential placebo effects in MAMS studies with subjective outcomes. UCL or London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), lead project supervisor Professor James Carpenter.

Learning to trade-off: advancing composite outcome methods to improve non-inferiority designs, UCL, lead project supervisor Dr Matteo Quartagno.

Developing Approaches to Sample Size Determination in Clinical Trials with Novel Digital Endpoints, University of Cambridge, lead project supervisor Dr Mia Tackney.

Methodology for platform trials with composite endpoints, Newcastle University, lead project supervisor Professor James Wason.