Postgraduate Research
Unprecedented times can sometimes be the best times to put your plans into action. Whether you’ve been planning your research for a while, or you’ve found fresh perspectives during the pandemic, the University of Salford is ready to help you start your research journey.
Proudly positioned at the forefront of research and innovation in the sciences and engineering, and across the built and natural environments, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Collaborative. Industry-focused. Friendly and supportive. That’s our approach. Read on and explore how we can help you achieve your research goals.
Research at Salford
Doctoral School
Research is rewarding - and challenging. What you need to succeed is focus, determination - and a supportive team to motivate, guide and inspire you.
The Doctoral School at Salford delivers world-class training and support tailored to your individual needs. We look for development opportunities that enable you to fulfil your potential.
Support
We are committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where researchers from all backgrounds can fulfil their potential.
We align our training and development activities to the principles in the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. Our long-term commitment is recognised at the European level through the HR Excellence in Research award, renewed again in 2018.
Community
A typical Salford research candidate? There’s no such thing. What connects our research community is our passion to explore. To question the world around us. To discover together. If you’ve got these attributes, you’ll fit right in.
Follow our community on social.
Festival
Our annual Festival of Research showcases Salford’s research to the local community, providing a variety of engaging events on campus, and across venues in Greater Manchester.
Working closely with Salford City Council, we have co-created festivals with more than 70 industry and community partners. Our goal is to make research accessible, including a programme of activity designed specifically for local schools.
Open Day
A postgraduate research degree with Salford is a rewarding investment in your future.
Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities by visiting our next open day.
You can speak directly to research team leaders, ask questions and consider your options.
Our postgraduate research community explores topics across a suite of interdisciplinary research centres. Across built environment, engineering and technology, science and environments and ecology, we can help you to engage with co-created, transformational research.
Better Built Environments
The urban built environment is becoming the leading place for living and working. The Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments (UPRISE) is Salford’s multi-disciplinary research centre that seeks to identify, articulate and address the challenges that cities face.
Our researchers work across a range of subject areas to identify how we might design, deliver and experience cities differently, considering issues that impact at local, national and international levels.
Research highlights include work in BIM, simulation, smart and connected homes and energy, to wider questions of how we create a resilient city in the face of climate change. The centre also works closely with the construction industry to look at new modes of delivery and guide professional development.
Making Scientific Discoveries
The Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Salford is an internationally-leading, vibrant, collaborative unit of inter-disciplinary researchers who address diverse problems in biomedical sciences and health, and the growing global focus on healthy ageing.
The centre focuses on three established areas of research – Cancer Diagnosis and Prevention, Cardio-Respiratory Physiology and Pathology and Infectious Diseases. Research on Dementia and Healthy Mind is also a growing areas of research.
Research highlights include identifying cancer stem cell metabolism processes and molecular biomarkers through to understanding the impact of zoonotic and pathogenic microbes on human and animal health.
Innovating the future
The multi-disciplinary Salford Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC) continue to build on its world class research. The centre provides the know-how and expertise in the advancement of the 21st century technology, with the impact on business success and economic growth.
A dynamic and collaborative unit, the centre comprises six internationally-recognised applied and pure research groups that include physics and materials, robotics, engineering, informatics, acoustics and spray and petroleum technology.
Highlights include our ground-breaking research into new aerosol spray technology which won the THE 2014 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology, and our work developing technology for the food industry and assisting people with dementia.
Protecting precious environments
The Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre (EERC) brings together an academic and research community with an environmental focus. Research primarily focuses on ‘Sustainable Infrastructure and Environments’ and ‘Healthy Bodies and Minds’, two strategic priorities at the University of Salford.
The Centre has an overarching vision of understanding and analysing the biological, physical, and social dimensions of environmental changes and the resultant impacts on humans, animals and plants through high-quality, high-impact research.
Research highlights include zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, life below water, and life on land.
Find a supervisor
By pursuing a PhD or other postgraduate research degree at Salford, you’ll become a part of an inclusive community where collaborative and interdisciplinary research flourishes.
You’ll also have the opportunity to work with some of the most prolific researchers and leaders in research and industry.
Ready to apply?
Ready to make a research application? There are a number of things you will need to consider, such as study documentation, your research proposal, entry points and funding.
We've put together a summary to give your application every chance of success.
Meet our researchers
We’re home to researchers from all over the world, from a wide-range of backgrounds, at different life stages.
Read stories from some of our students who've made the journey.
- Becky's journey to MRes Mammalian Evolution
- Norhan's progression to built environment research
- Holly's PhD perspective on life in the labs
- PhD student Isobel making a buzz with her research
Research news
The School of Science, Engineering and Environment is proudly positioned at the forefront of research and innovation. From robotics to bioscience, we approach research collaboratively, finding fresh perspectives that lead towards innovative solutions.
Read some of our latest research-related news.
