Work and Train in the IMSR

Man conducting research in a laboratory

We are passionate about delivering outstanding education as well as world-leading research. Find out more about our opportunities below.

Current Vacancies

Research Fellow

This part-time position, fixed term contract (0.2 FTE for up to 3 years), will support a NIHR-funded project which aims to reduce maternal seizure risk in epileptic pregnant women by identifying early those at high-risk of seizures (using a personalised, acceptable, relevant and accessible care bundle). It also aims to evaluate the long-term safety of newer antiepileptic drugs on the development of children, to better inform pregnant women/promote safer use of antiepileptic drugs. Closing date is 3rd April 2023.

Find out more and apply

Research Fellowships

We welcome new researchers to the University of Birmingham and support our existing researchers to launch their independent careers by applying for Fellowship funding. See this page for the latest opportunities.

Summer Studentships

The Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, an interdisciplinary research institute, is always committed to training the next generation of scientists and has a very successful Summer School which runs between June and July.

Participants of the IMSR Summer School 2019The IMSR Summer School, led by Dr Vicki Smith and Dr Angela Taylor, is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience on how metabolism and endocrinology affects disease.

The school provides an invaluable opportunity to do scientific research and to bolster student CVs. Some of our past summer students have found their experience so rewarding they have returned to intercalate or to take their PhDs at the University of Birmingham.

In 2021, the IMSR Summer School cohort fought off tough competition to join the department and work with our Principle Investigators (PIs) in their research groups. The students, from the University of Birmingham, studied Biomedical Science, Medicine, and Biochemistry and spent six-eight weeks in the IMSR, learning basic techniques, attending a weekly Journal Club and having the opportunity to participate in IMSR seminars and activities. We take students from any higher education institute nationally and internationally. 

 

Applications

Applications for the IMSR Summer School 2023 are now closed.

Who is eligible to apply?

Students should currently be an undergraduate and must not be in their final year of study. We encourage students from any biological/chemical field to apply, including from Medicine (MBChB), Biomedical Sciences (BMedSci), Biochemical Engineering, Biosciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacy (MPharm).

Is any funding available to support Summer School students?

Students who are accepted into the IMSR Summer School can apply for funding. Students will be encouraged to work with their supervisors to help identify potential internal and external funding to support living and/or associated research costs. Obtaining funding support is not always possible but this would not impact on the student's placement.

 

For questions regarding any aspect of the IMSR Summer School please contact Dr Vicki Smith or Dr Angela Taylor.

For more information about our researchers

Read more about the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and the IMSR Principal Investigators

Here are some comments from previous IMSR summer students:

Past summer school students speaking about their experiences

 

Masters by Research Studentships

The Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, an interdisciplinary research institute, is always committed to training the next generation of scientists.

 The Institute hosts students registered for a research masters degree in the UK or Europe to complete projects that can be written up for a masters thesis. The students work for a period of up to 12 months in a host laboratory within the Institute.

Interested students should contact IMSR group leaders directly.

View more information on IMSR Principal Investigators and their research.

Undergraduate courses

The Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR) is committed to training excellent scientists and healthcare professionals, with a strong ethos of delivering outstanding undergraduate teaching underpinned by cutting-edge research, in line with the University of Birmingham 2026 vision.

IMSR staff participate in the delivery of several UG programmes including MBChB, BSc Biomedical Science (BSc), MPharm, BDS, and the intercalated BSc Clinical Sciences. In addition, IMSR staff contributes to UG teaching for the School of Biosciences.

IMSR staff regularly serve as personal tutors for students on the MBChB, BMedSc and MPharm programmes, contribute to MBChB Year 1 research taster sessions and supervise electives and audit projects of MBChB students. IMSR staff regularly supervise final year dissertation projects for BMedSc and intercalated BMedSc Clinical Sciences students.

To find out more about our undergraduate courses, please visit the College of Medical and Dental Sciences. 

Postgraduate Taught courses

To find out more about our postgraduate taught courses, please visit the College of Medical and Dental Sciences.