MRes Applied Sciences research projects
Choose a research project from a broad list of specialisms as part of your MRes Applied Sciences application.
Application process
When you apply to the Masters in Research (MRes) Applied Sciences course, you will ideally have chosen a project that aligns to one of our supervisor's research fields.
Browse research projects by specialism and topic areas. Then, contact our friendly team to discuss whether we can support your preferred project. We encourage you to contact us before you apply.
The list is updated every spring for the following September intake, but you can contact us any point in the year.
If you do not see a project that aligns exactly with your particular interests or future aspirations, we encourage you to consider projects in a related area and discuss your interests with the Programme Leader and/or prospective supervisor. There may be scope to refine the focus of an advertised project to reflect your interests, where this is appropriate and agreed with the supervisor.
Please also bear in mind that research projects naturally evolve. The precise direction, methodology or focus of a project may change during the MRes in response to findings, emerging evidence or practical considerations. This is a normal part of the research process and will be undertaken in discussion with your supervisory team.
Biological science
Topic areas: Microbiology and microbial communities; antimicrobial resistance; cell and molecular biology; genetics, genomics and epigenetics; cancer biology; biofilms and host–microbe interactions; ecology and biodiversity; environmental pollution and microplastics; toxicology and genotoxicity; eDNA, sequencing and bioinformatics.
Biomedical science
Topic areas: Cancer biology and therapeutics; microbiology and antimicrobial resistance; neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease; metabolism, obesity and diabetes; genetics, genomics and epigenetics; cell signalling and molecular biology; drug development and toxicology; diagnostics, biosensors and personalised medicine; haematology, coagulation and blood science; physiology, sleep and exercise science.
Environmental science
Topic areas: Water quality and aquatic ecosystems; pollution and environmental contamination; microplastics; soil health and nutrient management; climate change and carbon; environmental monitoring and sensing; ecotoxicology and computational toxicology; sustainable agriculture and food systems; renewable energy and environmental impacts; GIS, remote sensing and environmental modelling; ecoacoustics; biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.
Forensic science
Topic areas: Forensic chemistry and analytical science; drugs, toxicology and substance analysis; DNA profiling and forensic genetics; fingermarks and trace evidence; fire, explosives and ignitable liquids; chemical sensing and detection; food authenticity and chemical fingerprinting; environmental forensics; chemometrics and data analysis; computational toxicology and machine learning; volatile organic compounds and GC–MS; method development and validation.
Healthcare science
Topic areas: Sleep studies; neurodiversity; exercise; clinical engineering.
Science communication
Topic areas: Climate change communication; visual science communication; children, education and informal learning; public engagement with science; arts-based communication and participation; media, literature and representations of science; museums, heritage and place-based learning; qualitative and mixed-methods research.
Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation
Topic areas: Biodiversity and conservation; wildlife ecology and behaviour; habitat restoration and rewilding; climate change impacts; marine and aquatic conservation; species monitoring and ecological surveys; GIS and remote sensing; bioacoustics and acoustic monitoring; eDNA and molecular ecology; human–wildlife and community conservation; renewable energy and wildlife; plants, habitats and invasive species.
View wildlife, ecology and conservation science research projects (xlsx)