The van der Schaar Lab at the University of Cambridge is accepting applications for fully funded PhD positions starting in 2027. The opportunity is aimed at outstanding prospective machine learning researchers who want to develop advanced artificial intelligence methods to address major challenges in healthcare, biology, economics, and wider society. Applications are currently open and assessed on a rolling basis. International applicants are welcome to apply. About the van der Schaar Lab Led by Professor Mihaela van der Schaar, the lab develops new machine learning foundations designed around complex real-world problems. Its research spans areas including causal deep learning, automated machine learning, data-centric AI, digital twins, interpretable machine learning, synthetic data, survival analysis, time-series modelling, uncertainty quantification, and AI for scientific discovery. Rather than simply applying existing machine learning techniques, the group seeks to develop new methods from first principles and work closely with experts in medicine, biology, economics, and other disciplines. The lab’s research has contributed to applications including forecasting ICU and ventilator demand during COVID-19, personalized cancer screening and treatment, donor-recipient matching for organ transplantation, disease progression modelling for cystic fibrosis, and AI-assisted biological discovery. Why Join the PhD Program? Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on research with potential impact on human health, scientific discovery, and society. The lab emphasizes close supervision and hands-on research mentoring, allowing doctoral researchers to develop both technical expertise and an internationally competitive research portfolio. Students have opportunities to publish at leading machine learning conferences, including NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, and AISTATS. The lab reports that its students average approximately 15 papers during the course of a PhD. Researchers also benefit from collaborations with leading institutions and clinical partners, including the Francis Crick Institute and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, as well as other organizations working across medicine, biology, and healthcare. The positions are fully funded, and the lab welcomes applicants from different nationalities, academic backgrounds, and professional experiences. Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to study and conduct research in Cambridge, one of the world’s major academic and scientific centres. Eligibility Requirements Applicants should have an excellent mathematical background, ideally combined with previous experience in machine learning. Prior knowledge of medicine or biology is not required. Candidates are expected to hold, or be predicted to obtain, an undergraduate degree with top grades from a highly regarded academic institution. The qualification should be equivalent to a UK first-class honours degree and should be in a subject with a strong quantitative component. Relevant academic disciplines may include: Computer science Mathematics Engineering Economics Statistics Other quantitatively focused disciplines A Master’s degree, or equivalent research or professional experience, is preferred but is not stated as an absolute requirement. Application Process Interested candidates should submit their information through the van der Schaar Lab’s application form. Applicants are asked to provide their full name, email address, bachelor’s degree institution, master’s degree institution where applicable, and details of any PhD institution if applicable. The application also requires a brief summary of previous study or professional experience, including institutions, courses, and grades. Candidates must explain why they are interested in pursuing a PhD with Professor Mihaela van der Schaar’s group. Applicants should also provide links to relevant publications, reports, or research code where available and upload their CV, résumé, or portfolio. Up to three files can be uploaded, and uploaded documents should be provided in PDF format. PhD Open House Prospective applicants can learn more about the opportunity by attending the online PhD Open House and Information Session on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at 16:00 UK time. The session provides an opportunity to meet members of the lab, learn about the PhD experience and application process, and ask questions before applying. Deadline and Application Advice There is no fixed application deadline stated on the lab’s announcement. Applications are being assessed on a rolling basis, making early submission advisable. Applicants should demonstrate strong quantitative preparation, evidence of research ability, and a clear motivation for joining the van der Schaar Lab. Relevant publications, research projects, technical work, and programming or machine learning experience should be highlighted where applicable. The lab notes that applicants will generally be contacted only if it intends to follow up with a request for additional information or an interview. Deadline: Rolling basis Start date: 2027 Funding: Fully funded Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom Eligibility: International applicants welcome VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. 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