Durham University is to train around 15 doctoral researchers in medical science after joining a major Medical Research Council partnership involving five northern universities.
The university announced the partnership on 29 September 2026, saying it had become a partner in the new DiMeN-XL Doctoral Landscape Award. The programme has secured MRC funding to continue and expand the DiMeN, or Discovery Medicine for the North, doctoral training programme.
Across the partnership, around 60 PhD researchers are expected to be recruited and trained by Durham, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Newcastle universities. Durham's share is expected to be about 15 MRC-funded doctoral researchers during the initial three-year award.
Research will focus on health inequalities
Durham's doctoral students will undertake research linked to health inequalities, including cancer and infectious disease. The programme will also examine how scientific discoveries can be turned into advanced therapies and health technologies.
Alongside their PhD projects, the students will receive specialist training for modern biomedical research. Durham said this will include data science, advanced analytics and AI-enabled research tools, with the aim of helping researchers move discoveries from laboratories into real-world healthcare innovations.
The training will extend beyond university research. Students will have opportunities to work with businesses, NHS organisations, charities and public-sector partners through placements, collaborative projects and specialist training.
First Durham students expected in 2027
Professor Adam Benham, Director of Postgraduate Studies in Durham's Department of Biosciences, is the Durham lead for the partnership. He will oversee the recruitment and training of the university's doctoral researchers.
The first cohort is expected to be recruited early next year and begin PhDs in October 2027. The university said the award will strengthen its contribution to health research and innovation and support the wider growth of the North of England's health and life sciences sector.
Durham linked the programme to wider university initiatives, including its work through the Northern Health Science Alliance. The partnership is intended to bring together expertise across the North and develop researchers able to address major health challenges.
Professor Benham said: “We are really looking forward to training the next generation of researchers who will develop new knowledge, tools and technologies that will help advance human health for the long-term benefit of the North East region.”
Professor Debbie Riby, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Research, described the award as “a fantastic investment in the next generation of medical researchers”. She said DiMeN-XL would create opportunities for Durham doctoral researchers to build skills, collaborations and discoveries aimed at tackling major health challenges.
Durham University also highlighted that its Department of Biosciences is ranked second in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027.