EB4B uses a project-first approach where you’ll select and start your specific research project from day one. Rather than spending months rotating through different labs, you’ll dive directly into interdisciplinary research that connects engineering biology expertise with biomedical applications.

Each project is co-supervised by an engineering domain expert and a biomedical specialist, giving you precisely the skills combination that our industry partners have identified as critically needed. This structure means you’ll develop both technical depth in cutting-edge biological engineering and breadth in therapeutic application from the outset of your PhD.

Beyond the foundation, you’ll progress through structured milestones guided by your personalised Development Needs Analysis (DNA). Your development is supported by regular seminars, an annual summer symposium bringing together all cohorts and partners, and opportunities for industrial placements with our network of 18 project partners.

Throughout your PhD, you’ll benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities across King’s, Leeds, and NPL, including metrology bio-foundries, cryo-EM facilities, gene therapy innovation hubs, and high-performance computing resources. This combination of focused training, strong supervision, and world-class infrastructure prepares you for diverse careers spanning biotech entrepreneurship, industrial R&D, academic research, and regulatory affairs

EB4B will train a new generation of over 40 engineering biologists who can bridge the critical gap between fundamental biological design principles and practical biomedical challenges. Our graduates will possess a unique combination of skills that industry partners have identified as critically needed but currently lacking: the ability to design biological systems, scale manufacturing processes to consistent standards, navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and develop viable commercial strategies for engineered biological therapies. You’ll join a community of researchers who are comfortable working at the interface of disciplines, connecting cutting-edge engineering biology tools with real-world therapeutic implementation.

Our graduates emerge as research leaders equipped for diverse career pathways. With deep expertise in biological engineering, computational design, and bioprocessing, combined with entrepreneurial competencies and regulatory awareness, you’ll be prepared to lead in biotech startups, pharmaceutical R&D, academic research, or policy and regulation.

The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration means you’ll develop not just technical mastery, but also the communication, project management, and teamwork skills essential for translating engineering biology advances into tangible healthcare benefits. Students supervised by our researchers have historically progressed to roles including independent academic positions at leading universities, research scientists in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research roles in national laboratories and research institutes, science policy positions, and entrepreneurial ventures in emerging biotech startups.

EB4B’s mission is to connect engineering biology technical expertise with real-world biomedical challenges. Every PhD project in our programme bridges fundamental biological engineering with therapeutic application, ensuring our research addresses the critical implementation gaps that currently limit the translation of engineering biology innovations into healthcare solutions. This approach reflects the priorities identified by our industry partners and aligns with the UK’s National Engineering Biology Programme.