DrMarios Chatzigeorgiou

Dr. Chatzigeorgiou is an Associate Professor of Systems and Evolutionary Neuroscience in the Department of Life Sciences.

The Chatzigeorgiou  lab investigates the development, function, and evolution of nervous systems across the tree of life using marine organisms. Current projects focus on  the invertebrate chordates Ciona intestinalis and Oikopleura dioca. His research combines genetics, advanced imaging, quantitative behavioural analysis, and neurophysiology to uncover how simple chordate nervous systems process sensory information and generate behaviour. The lab also explores the molecular mechanisms underlying sensory perception, the organization of behavioural states, the development of key chordate structures such as the nervous system and notochord, and the impact of environmental stressors, including anthropogenic underwater noise, on marine organisms.

We welcome enquiries from highly motivated prospective PhD students. Students can join the lab through a number of competitive funding schemes at Imperial College London, listed below. We are also happy to consider applicants who have already secured independent funding.

Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships
A highly competitive 3.5-year studentship open to exceptional candidates. Applicants should normally hold, or expect to obtain, a first-class undergraduate degree and/or a distinction at Master’s level. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact us well before the application deadline to discuss suitability and potential research projects.

Lee Family Scholarships
A 3.5-year studentship for students who are ordinarily resident in China or Hong Kong. The scheme is expected to reopen in late 2026 for entry in 2027.

MultiSci MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
This programme comprises a one-year MRes, including laboratory rotations, followed by a 3.5-year PhD. Both UK ("home") and international students are eligible to apply. Applications for 2026 entry have now closed.

Funded postdoctoral and research assistant positions will be advertised on the Imperial College London and jobs.ac.uk websites.

We also welcome enquiries from prospective fellows interested in developing applications for independent funding schemes, including the Wellcome Early-Career Award, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, and Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowships. Please note that EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships may not fully cover postdoctoral salary costs at Imperial and therefore potentially require additional financial support.

We occasionally have capacity to supervise undergraduate summer research projects. Applicants must secure their own funding, for example through the Imperial UROP scheme.