The UK has one of the strongest immunisation programmes in the world, yet decisions about which vaccines to prioritise, how to schedule them, and how to measure their true value are often made in silos. What if a single research project could change that by creating a framework that looks at the entire programme as one integrated system?
This is exactly the challenge at the heart of a new fully funded PhD at the University of Cambridge in vaccines and immunisation. Supervised by Professor Caroline Trotter and embedded in the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Vaccines & Immunisation, the successful candidate will develop methods to evaluate the UK vaccine programme holistically and test how this approach could improve real-world policy decisions.
Applications close on 10 July 2026, with interviews expected before the end of July. The project starts in January 2027.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: UK
- Host University: University of Cambridge
- Scholarship Type: PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.
Why a Holistic View of the UK Vaccine Programme Matters
Current vaccine decision-making typically assesses each new vaccine or disease in isolation. While this has delivered excellent results for individual programmes, it can miss important synergies across the full immunisation schedule. Combination vaccines create operational efficiencies. High confidence in one part of the programme can boost uptake elsewhere. Surveillance systems, delivery infrastructure and public trust all interact.
A siloed approach risks underestimating the overall value of the immunisation programme and can lead to suboptimal policy choices. Global evidence shows the power of taking a broader view: modelling published in 2024 estimated that the WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunization averted around 154 million deaths worldwide between 1974 and 2024. An equivalent analysis for England, capturing both direct protection and herd immunity effects, would provide a powerful advocacy tool and help policymakers see the full picture.
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This Cambridge PhD will tackle exactly that gap.
Project Objectives: From Lives Saved to a New Decision Framework
The student will pursue two major objectives:
- Quantify the historic impact of childhood immunisation in England — including lives saved, broader health gains and economic benefits — using comprehensive modelling that accounts for both individual protection and population-level transmission effects. The work will involve identifying and quantifying additional success markers in consultation with stakeholders.
- Develop a practical framework for integrated, holistic decision-making across the entire UK vaccine programme. This framework will explicitly consider effects on the immunisation system as a whole rather than marginal cost-effectiveness of single vaccines. The student will apply the draft framework to specific case studies, evaluate its influence on decision-making, and refine it accordingly.
The project is grounded in real policy needs and will be conducted in close collaboration with colleagues at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
World-Class Training and Interdisciplinary Skills
This is far more than a traditional PhD. You will gain advanced skills in three high-demand areas:
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Mathematical modelling of vaccine-preventable diseases
- Health economics
You will also design and deliver a meaningful public involvement and engagement plan. Because the public are the ultimate “vaccine consumers,” their perspectives must shape the research from the start.
These skills are highly transferable. Graduates with this combination of quantitative expertise, policy awareness and public engagement experience are sought after by government agencies, international organisations, modelling consortia, pharmaceutical companies and academia.
Work Alongside Leading Experts in a Prestigious National Research Unit
The PhD is embedded in the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines & Immunisation, a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University College London and the University of Cambridge.
Your supervisor, Professor Caroline Trotter, is one of the UK’s foremost infectious disease epidemiologists. She is a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the government on vaccine policy, Director of Cambridge-Africa, and has led major work through the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium. Working with her offers direct exposure to high-level national decision-making processes and world-leading modelling expertise.
This environment gives you access to rich surveillance data, policy networks and interdisciplinary collaboration that few PhD programmes can match.
Funding and Practical Details
The position is fully funded for three years and includes:
- Home-rate tuition fees
- Tax-free maintenance stipend starting at £20,199 per year
- Research costs covered by the NIHR HPRU
Start date: January 2027. Location: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge (with strong links to human public health through the supervisor’s work).
Note on eligibility: Funding covers fees at the home rate. UK and eligible home students are prioritised for the funded place. International applicants are welcome to apply but should discuss fee differences and potential top-up funding options directly with Professor Trotter.
See Also:
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Who Should Apply for Fully Funded PhD at Cambridge University?
You should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a UK 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Strong candidates will have backgrounds in:
- Epidemiology or public health
- Mathematical modelling or statistics
- Health economics
- Or related quantitative disciplines with a clear interest in vaccines and policy
Passion for improving public health through better evidence and genuine enthusiasm for public involvement in research are essential.
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How to Apply for This Fully Funded PhD Cambridge Vaccines Opportunity
- Contact Professor Caroline Trotter directly to discuss the project and your fit before submitting a formal application.
- Prepare a strong research proposal or statement that shows understanding of the holistic challenge and your relevant skills.
- Submit your official application through the Department of Veterinary Medicine postgraduate portal, quoting reference PP49859.
Full application guidance: https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/study/postgrad/apply
Official vacancy page with all details: https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/phd-fixed-term-pp49859
Deadline: 10 July 2026 (shortlisted candidates will be interviewed before the end of July 2026).
Why Cambridge?
The University of Cambridge consistently ranks among the world’s top universities for research impact and student experience. The collegiate system provides a supportive community, while the city offers an inspiring environment for focused research. The Department of Veterinary Medicine hosts this project, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective that complements the human-focused public health work.
Career Pathways After Completion
Graduates from this type of NIHR-supported, policy-linked PhD commonly move into:
- UKHSA or Department of Health and Social Care roles
- Academic positions in epidemiology and modelling
- International organisations such as WHO or Gavi
- Health economics and outcomes research in industry
- Independent consulting or modelling groups
The skills in holistic programme evaluation are particularly timely as the UK expands adult vaccination, responds to emerging infections and works to reduce inequalities in uptake.
Take the Next Step
If you want your research to move beyond academic papers and directly influence how the UK protects its population through vaccination, this fully funded PhD at the University of Cambridge offers a rare platform.
The combination of world-class supervision, embedded work within the NIHR HPRU, strong quantitative training and a clear path to policy impact makes this one of the most exciting vaccine-related PhD opportunities available in the UK for 2027 entry.
Ready to apply? Visit the official page now: https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/phd-fixed-term-pp49859 Contact the supervisor to start the conversation. Deadline: 10 July 2026.
This could be the project that defines the next stage of your career — and helps the UK see its vaccine programme in a whole new light.