Today in NPP we research fundamental aspects of how and why organisms work, continuing a long-standing tradition of shedding light on the most complex animal function and behaviour, in both health and disease, by revealing the underpinning molecules, cells, systems and circuits. We are part of UCL’s Neuroscience Research Community, the largest in Europe, and home to over 40 research groups and 100+ Post-Docs, PhD students and support staff.
Welcome
From founding the first department of Physiology in England in 1828 to its groundbreaking work in Pharmacology to its current position as part of the largest research community of Neuroscientists in Europe, this research department has been instrumental in the world’s understanding of the nervous system and the interactions within it.
From James Black to Archibald Hill to Bernard Katz, UCL has been home to Nobel Prize winners and game changers in the discipline of physiology.
Today NPP continues this fine tradition with some of the most prestigious academics in the field. From Maria Fitzgerald and her groundbreaking work on pain to David Attwell’s important work on the control of blood flow to Annette Dolphin’s work on how neurons talk to each other and many more, UCL’s many NPP research labs are generating exciting new findings daily.
We are proud of our focus on research-based teaching and offering the top neuroscientists of tomorrow the opportunity to hear from the current leaders in the field on their areas of expertise as well as ensuring that practical experience in labs remains a fundamental element of the teaching process.
Stephanie Schorge - Head of Department
Our people and our history
Meet NPP
We are a diverse community of internationally recognised PIs, post-docs and PhD students undertaking world-leading interdisciplinary research into the nervous system.
History
NPP has been home to some of the greatest figures of physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience from Bernard Katz, Andrew Huxley and Ernest Starling to our current world-leading scientists.
Opportunities
Our growing and vibrant research community is always looking for the brightest minds - see current opportunities for fellowships, PhDs and more.
Research
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Our work focuses on the study of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, G-protein-coupled receptors, and organelles, from structural and functional perspectives to their role in synaptic transmission
Epithelial Physiology
Our work focuses on the investigation of the function of channels and transporters in epithelial membranes, in relation to homeostasis and disease.
Circuits and Systems Neuroscience
Research in the Circuits and Systems laboratories in the department focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of circuit and system function and how it contributes to emerging behaviours in
Fellowships
Our research spans receptor pharmacology, biophysics, circuits and systems neuroscience, cardiovascular neurophysiology and neural computation. We encourage early-career scientists to join us with ext
Postdoctoral Research
Our research department is home to a thriving community of Postdoctoral Researchers supported by skills training, careers advice and much more.
Facilities
Our staff, researchers and students have access to a wide range of cutting-edge facilities within NPP and Biosciences as well as across UCL.
Study
Biosciences undergraduate programmes
UCL offers two of the most prestigious undergraduate programmes in this field in the world: BSc/MSci Neuroscience and BSc/MSci Pharmacology. We also have one of the largest student-led science-focused
Postgraduate Master's
We offer a dedicated MSc in Neuroscience and we have streams in both Neuroscience and Pharmacology in our MRes Biosciences.
PhD
Prospective students are warmly encouraged to review the many research topics in the department and to make early contact with academic staff. PhD projects may be based entirely within NPP, or connect
LAPT: UCL`s Learning Platform for active self-testing
A powerful online tool developed originally for Physiology, Biosciences and Medicine by Professor Tony Gardner-Medwin at UCL to support self-directed, personal learning across a wide range of topics.
News
NPP's Dr Hermany Munguba was awarded the 2025 Freedman Prize (honorable mention) by the BBRF
NPP's Hermany Munguba was awarded the 2025 Freedman Prize (honorable mention) by the BBRF. This is a great honor for Hermany and the Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology department. Hermany joins
30 Jul 2025
NPP's PhD student Ella Svahn has been awarded the 2025 Jon Driver Prize
NPP'S Ella Svahn has been awarded the 2025 Jon Driver Prize for her PhD work, that will be presented at the Neuroscience symposium.
13 Jun 2025
NPP's Prof Stefan Trapp reveals how targeting GLP-1 in the brain could transform obesity care
What if a single hormone could control appetite in two entirely different ways? Professor Stefan Trapp of University College London reveals how GLP-1’s dual role in the brain and gut could transform obesity treatment. For decades, researchers have explored how...
10 Jun 2025