Postgraduate degrees and research projects

Academic staff at the Liggins Institute work within a number of divisions across the University as well as in clinical practice. They are able to supervise students undertaking higher degrees. This is done through the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at The University of Auckland.

A degree with us will establish a basis for your career in biomedical research, or cultivate research skills that will complement your future clinical practice or further study.

The Liggins Institute provides excellent facilities for students wishing to undertake honours, masters and PhD programmes in biomedical and medical research, including high-level training in research and laboratory techniques, career opportunities and travel support for national and international conferences. No previous research experience is required, just a degree in science or medicine.

We offer research opportunities for students with backgrounds in biological sciences, medicine, molecular medicine, nursing, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, pharmacology, neuroscience, endocrinology, physiology and other disciplines.

We offer first class supervision and research projects for doctoral, masters and honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas in the disciplines of

• Biomedical Science
• Medical Science
• Health Science
• Māori Health
• Science

Honours, masters and diploma courses are coordinated through the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) or the Faculty of Science School of Biological Sciences (SBS).

Doctoral students enrol directly via the Liggins Institute.

There is a wide variety of projects in research areas throughout the institute designed to challenge and stimulate students at all levels. We invite you to explore the research themes on our website to find an area that particularly interests you. Each theme lists a number of student projects that are currently available and links to the scientists working in those areas.

Alternatively go to the "Our people" section to read about the leading international scientists who work at the Liggins to find out their areas of interest.

Research themes
Our people

Doctoral students studying at or through the Liggins Institute enjoy all the advantages of being part of New Zealand’s leading university while accessing the dedicated resources of a world-class research institute and supervision by internationally recognised and connected academic staff.

How to apply for admission to our doctoral research programme

Get information about non doctoral degrees and postgraduate study where the research component may be undertaken at the Liggins Institute by visiting:

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS)
Honours degrees
Masters degrees
Postgraduate diplomas
How to apply for entry to non-doctoral postgraduate programmes

One year project for Master's thesis - based in Rotorua

Eating patterns in Māori preschool children
Changes in meal frequency, in particular skipping meals and snacking when not hungry, result in altered hormonal and physiological responses to a meal and contribute to weight gain, even if caloric intake is not substantially increased. However, there is little information about the physiological effects of an irregular food supply, where meal frequency varies unpredictably from day to day. This is particularly relevant to young children who are dependent on others to supply their food, so that meals may not always be matched to their hunger signals. Read more

Research projects for BSc(Hons)

Therapies for pre-eclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction: effects on offspring
The major pregnancy complications of pre-eclampsia (mothers suffer multiple organ failure and demonstrate high blood pressure and protein in their urine) and fetal growth restriction (when babies fail to thrive in the womb) lead to babies being at increased risk of disease in adulthood (including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes). We have used animal models of these pregnancy conditions to investigate novel therapies and we have demonstrated that we can treat the mother’s signs of disease.
The aim of this project is to determine whether these novel treatments also have the potential to reduce the likelihood of babies suffering disease in adulthood. Read more

The exposome and Fetal Growth Restriction
Fetal Growth Restriction, in which the baby fails to grow and thrive in the womb, is a massive unsolved healthcare problem.
We know that environmental factors must play a major role, but arcane methods (questionnaires and surveys) have failed to identify them. We will apply cutting edge technologies to hair and blood samples, in order to discover the dietary, toxic or infective factors that pregnant women have been exposed to.
The work will suggest novel new treatments and may also suggest simple dietary and lifestyle measures that could profoundly affect the outcome of a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s long-term health. Read more

Read more about research on Pregnancy, placenta and parturition at the Liggins Institute

PhD in developmental psychology

Developmental outcomes at 4.5 years of age in children who were born at risk of hypoglycaemia
Are you a psychologist interested in advancing your career via research in child development?
We are looking for an excellent PhD candidate who has a rapport with children to join our multidisciplinary research team. Project details

CHYLD Study – Student Opportunities Available

The CHYLD Study is a large multi-disciplinary prospective cohort study investigating the development of young children who were at risk of developing neonatal hypoglycaemia. Children are assessed at 2 and 4.5 years age, including assessment of visual, neuropsychological and physical development.

Opportunities are available for professionals wishing to undertake postgraduate study (masters or PhD) to join this study. These would be suitable for those with backgrounds in paediatrics, nursing, developmental psychology, optometry, ophthalmology and related disciplines. Scholarships are available for suitable candidates.

For further information or to make an enquiry please contact the Liggins Institute:
Email CHYLD@auckland.ac.nz
Phone +64 0800 CHYLDS 

Read more about fetal and neonatal research at the Liggins Institute.