PhD in Biological Science (Sanger Institute)

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the world's premier genomics research institutes and is at the forefront of this fast-developing field. We use large-scale DNA sequencing, informatics and analysis of genetic variation to further our understanding of gene function in health and disease. The Institute’s PhD programme is open to UK, EU and overseas applicants, and we aim to attract the brightest and best young scientists from all around the world.

The PhD programme aims to provide training and research opportunities in the field of genomic science that reflect the unique nature of Sanger Institute science, with an emphasis on large-scale, high-throughput approaches and the development of a blend of wet-lab and computational skills. The Institute also aims to provide students with general research and transferable skills training in addition to training in their specific research area. Applicants will generally have a bioscience background, but applicants with a computational or mathematical background can also apply.

During the first eight months, students on our PhD programme undertake rotations in three different research groups. This ensures exposure to different disciplines in genomics and allows the students to gain a better overall picture of the scientific nature of the Institute and the different technologies that are available. In particular, all students are required to carry out at least one informatics rotation and one experimental laboratory rotation. This helps students to develop wide-ranging skills both at the bench and in data analysis. The final PhD project is chosen towards the end of the third rotation period, and students start their PhD project on 1 June. Students are expected to submit their PhD thesis within four years of starting on the programme.

Assessment

Assessment is by submission of a thesis of up to 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission) excluding bibliography, figures, appendices etc. The thesis should be double-spaced or one-and-a-half spaced. Single- or double-sided printing is allowed. All students have to defend their thesis by attending a viva voce examination conducted by two examiners. Although the thesis must be the work of the student, the supervisor is allowed to give suggestions, critical advice and feedback on content and any draft version(s) of the thesis.

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK 2.1 Honours Degree. Applicants are expected to hold, or be about to achieve, a 1st or 2:1 class UK degree or equivalent overseas qualification in a relevant scientific subject.