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MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.

International PhD Programme

Main applications for the LMB PhD programme are now closed.

Every year the LMB International PhD Programme offers 20-30 new graduate students from the UK and all over the world the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research.

At the LMB, we aim to train the scientific leaders of the future: we seek the best students, give them rewarding and challenging research projects and provide a supportive environment with access to world-leading experts and state-of-the-art facilities.

LMB postgraduate students are registered for their PhD with the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences at the University of Cambridge – leading to a University of Cambridge PhD degree. Students registered with the University also become a member of one of the University’s colleges. This relationship, between the LMB and the University of Cambridge, gives our postgraduate students membership of two of the world’s leading research institutions.

To apply you will need to complete an application via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal .

Before that you should browse the LMB research pages, familiarise yourself with the research projects on offer and consults our FAQs and useful links pages.

If any of your queries are not answered on these webpages please  contact us .

To receive tweets on our latest news, updates and events, please follow us: @LMB_PhD

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The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge offers MPhil and PhD programmes across a wide range of research disciplines. As the largest Department in the School of the Biological Sciences, our students have tremendous exposure to cutting-edge research fields and technologies.

Deputy Head of Dept for Postgraduate Education

• Professor Laura Machesky

Postgraduate Admissions

School of Life Sciences

School of the Biological Sciences

Internship programme

Department of Biochemistry Hopkins Building Downing Site Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QW

Contact: [email protected]

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The Cambridge Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is a partnership between four internationally leading research organisations — the University of Cambridge, the Babraham Institute, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute — and UK Research and Innovation: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI BBSRC) to develop the next generation of bioscience talent.

The Life Sciences are key to addressing many of the current societal and global challenges, and PhD-trained bioscientists are needed to meet the demands of the thriving and expanding bioeconomy. Our DTP addresses this need by providing a welcoming and vibrant training environment in which talented and motivated students from diverse backgrounds undertake cutting edge research projects and become equipped for a range of careers in academia, industry, government and charitable sectors.

Our students benefit from our location at the heart of Europe’s largest cluster of bioscience companies and via our partnership with Agri-TechE and One Nucleus enjoy opportunities to interact with a range of external organisations. Our DTP, via internships and iCASE studentships, also provides a convenient entry point for external organisations to forge collaboration with researchers across our partnership.

Meet our Students

Our students come from a variety of career backgrounds, from University, Industry or a career in an area outside of science. Find out what they have to say about the Programme.

Our training programme is designed to boost skill development through immersive experiences and personalised self-assessment tools.

AIM PhD Programme

AIM PhD is a 6-month, online programme to assist applicants from underrepresented groups with their application to doctoral study at the University of Cambridge, including the Cambridge Biosciences PhD Programme.

Ensuring that our recruitment processes are effective in reaching out to groups who are currently underrepresented.

Available Studentships

Applications for the 2024 intake are closed.

Latest news

SBS DTP Student Maximilian Gantz at WildGenes expedition in the Amazon rainforest

Maximilian Gantz and Dr Timo Kohler from the Hollfelder lab at the Department of Biochemistry recently went on a field trip to Peru, to the Hoja Nueva Rescue and Research Center

PIPS Symposium 2024

24 April 2024

Our annual PIPS Symposium took place on Friday 19th April at the Babraham Innovation Campus. The event aims to connect current students, who haven’t yet carried out their PIPS, with potential host organisations.

Pork labelling schemes ‘not helpful’ in making informed buying choices, say researchers

19 April 2024

Farmers don’t have to choose between lowering environmental impact and improving welfare for their pigs, a new study has found: it is possible to do both. But this is not reflected in the current food labelling schemes relied on by consumers.

View all news

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• Wellcome-funded Four Year (MRes + PhD) Programme in Stem Cell Biology & Medicine

This PhD will be carried out under the supervision of a Principal Investigator from within the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, and based in a specific research group. At the end, students write a thesis, which is examined via an oral examination.

The PhD introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

Our overarching goal is to produce well-trained and rounded Postgraduates who have generated significant and original research findings and are fully prepared for an ambitious and challenging career, whether continuing in stem cell science or moving to another profession.

This PhD is self-funded, so candidates will be required to source their own funding. You can apply for various Cambridge scholarships alongside your application - more details at https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/funding .

Applicants should contact potential supervisors prior to submitting an application , to discuss the possibility of supervision, their proposed research project and funding options. Contact details for our Principal Investigators can be found here . Once you have had these discussions with a supervisor and been advised by them to make a formal application, you can submit your application ( details below) .

Further details on this course including eligibility requirements , funding possibilities and the application process can be found here .

Applicant Portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blscpdscp

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Cambridge centre for data-driven discovery, currently advertised phd studentships.

• The majority of current PhD studentships are listed on the  University's Jobs site
• For a full list of departments and faculties at the University, visit this page where you can learn more about the research interests within each department
• To find academics you might like to work with, use our directory

Graduate Admissions

The  Graduate Admissions  office provides a range of information on postgraduate programmes at Cambridge, along with a step-by-step guide to the application process. It is advisable to start researching funding opportunities at least a year before your course begins.

MPhil and PhD course relevant to data science - from across University of Cambridge

Please visit the relevant pages and contact the relevant education provider if you have queries. You should pay particular attention to the entry requirements and guidance for applicants there.

MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence - an eleven month full-time programme offered by the Machine Learning Group, the Speech Group, and the Computer Vision and Robotics Group in the Cambridge University Department of Engineering.  The course aims to teach the state-of-the-art in machine learning, speech and language processing, and computer vision; to give students the skills and expertise necessary to take leading roles in industry and to equip them with the research skills necessary for doctoral study at Cambridge and other universities.

PhD programme in Advanced Machine Learning - The Machine Learning Group is based in the Department of Engineering, and encourages applications from outstanding candidates with academic backgrounds in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering and related fields, and a keen interest in doing basic research in machine learning and its scientific applications. 

Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine - Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine (CCAIM) is a multi-disciplinary centre established by the University of Cambridge in 2020 to develop pioneering AI machine learning (ML) technologies that will transform biomedical science, medicine and healthcare. PhD studentships are oten available, please check their website for details.

SynTech Centre for Doctoral Training - EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Synthetic Chemistry Enabled by Digital Molecular Technologies. An interdisciplinary cohort-driven programme to produce the next generation of molecule making scientists by combining Synthetic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

Advanced Computer Science MPhil  - The MPhil in Advanced Computer Science (the ACS) is designed to prepare students for doctoral research, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. Typical applicants will have undertaken a first degree in computer science or an equivalent subject, and will be expected to be familiar with basic concepts and practices. The ACS is a nine–month course which starts in early October and finishes on 30 June. It covers advanced material in both theoretical and practical areas as well as instilling the elements of research practice.

Application of Artificial Intelligence to the study of Environmental Risks MRes and PhD - The UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in the Application of Artificial Intelligence to the study of Environmental Risks (AI4ER) trains researchers (through several multidisciplinary cohorts) to be uniquely equipped to develop and apply leading-edge computational approaches to address critical global environmental challenges by exploiting vast, diverse and often currently untapped environmental data sets. Embedded in the outstanding research environments of the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the AI4ER CDT addresses problems that are relevant to  building resilience to environmental hazards and managing environmental change .

Postgraduate Study in Mathematics - Various postgraduate courses of a mathematical nature are available at the University of Cambridge, including both taught courses and research degrees.

Mathematics of Information PhD  - This cutting-edge training Centre in the Mathematics of Information produces a new generation of leaders in the theory and practice of modern data science, with an emphasis on the mathematical underpinnings of this new scientific field. The Cambridge Mathematics of Information (CMI) PhD is a four-year course leading to a single PhD thesis.

Cambridge Computational Biology Institute MPhil and PhD ​ - The MPhil in Computational Biology course is aimed at introducing students in the biological, mathematical and physical sciences to quantitative aspects of modern biology and medicine, including bioinformatics. The course has been developed by the Cambridge Computational Biology Institute and is run by the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences (CMS).

Centre for Scientific Computing MPhil and PhD  - The MPhil programme on Scientific Computing is offered by the University of Cambridge as a full-time course which aims to provide education of the highest quality at Master’s level. A common route for admission into our PhD programme is via the Centre’s MPhil programme in Scientific Computing.

Part III Mathematics  - Part III is a 9 month taught masters course in mathematics.  It is an excellent preparation for mathematical research and it is also a valuable course in mathematics and in its applications for those who want further training before taking posts in industry, teaching, or research establishments. Students admitted from outside Cambridge to Part III study towards the Master of Advanced Study (MASt).  Students continuing from the Cambridge Tripos for a fourth year, study towards the Master of Mathematics (MMath).  The requirements and course structure for Part III are the same for all students irrespective of whether they are studying for the MASt or MMath degree. There are over 200 Part III (MASt and MMath) students each year; almost all are in their fourth or fifth year of university studies. 

School of Clinical Medicine Graduate Training Office - Prospective students interested in pursuing a graduate degree course in a subject area related to clinical medicine at the University of Cambridge should consult the School’s individual departmental websites for detailed information about the courses which they run and the University’s Graduate Admissions website for information on the application process and on funding opportunities.

Centre for Doctoral Training in Data, Risk And Environmental Analytical Methods  - The CDT embraces a wide range of world-leading Doctoral research in the area of Big Data and Environmental Risk Mitigation. The CDT research underway seeks to utilise emerging technologies, techniques and tools, to more accurately monitor the environment, enabling cutting edge research. To provide end-users with more integrated information at improved temporal and spatial resolutions to deliver solutions to environmental challenges (both acute and long- term). Funded by  NERC  (the Natural Environment Research Council, NERC Ref: NE/M009009/1), the DREAM (Data, Risk and Environmental Analytical Methods) consortium is made up of Cranfield, Newcastle, Cambridge and Birmingham universities.

Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science  - The Cambridge CDT in Data Intensive Science is an innovative, interdisciplinary centre, distributed between the Department of Physics (Cavendish Laboratory), Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS) and the Institute of Astronomy (IoA).

MPhil in Data Intensive Science - This course aims to take science graduates and to prepare them for data intensive research careers by providing advanced training in three key areas – Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, and Research Computing – and their application to current research frontiers.

Cambridge Digital Humanities - The MPhil provides the opportunity to specialise in a chosen subject area as well as an advanced level introduction to DH approaches, methods and theory. The course provides critical and practical literacy, the chance to advance an extant specialization by re-contextualizing it in relation to advanced theoretical work, and the chance to develop as a DH scholar.

The Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery (C2D3) brings together researchers and expertise from across the academic departments and industry to drive research into the analysis, understanding and use of data science and AI. C2D3 is an Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge.

• Supports and connects the growing data science and AI research community 
• Builds research capacity in data science and AI to tackle complex issues 
• Drives new research challenges through collaborative research projects 
• Promotes and provides opportunities for knowledge transfer 
• Identifies and provides training courses for students, academics, industry and the third sector 
• Serves as a gateway for external organisations 

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degree biology and life sciences courses at university of cambridge.

18 courses available

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• PhD Biology and Life Sciences
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PhD in Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

University of cambridge.

The Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) offers excellent opportunities and facilities for training in research, Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £9,858 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £5,915 per year (UK)

PhD in Medical Genetics

Three years of supervised laboratory-based research (five years part-time) examined by thesis and an oral examination. Applicants are Read more...

PhD in Zoology

The Department of Zoology brings together researchers from a great diversity of disciplines, ranging from cell biology to field ecology. Read more...

PhD in Clinical Biochemistry

This is a research-based course. Students receive training in scientific laboratory skills and methods appropriate to the PhD project. Read more...

PhD in Plant Sciences

The aim of PhD training is to develop both a deep theoretical and practical understanding through research into aspects of Plant Sciences, Read more...

PhD in Biostatistics

The MRC Biostatistics Unit is an internationally recognised research department of the University of Cambridge specialising in statistical Read more...

PhD in Biochemistry

Students are based in a research group and undertake a research project agreed with the principal investigator (supervisor). Each student Read more...

PhD in Biological Science (Babraham Institute)

We run a comprehensive graduate programme to ensure that our students are able to gain a wide range of experience. At the end of their Read more...

PhD in Biotechnology

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology offers PhDs in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology. Research within the Read more...

PhD in Biological Science (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

The Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the world's leading research institutes. Discoveries and Read more...

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 Read more...

PhD in Clinical Neurosciences

Postgraduate training is very different from undergraduate courses. It is based on individual needs and abilities, and is designed to help Read more...

PhD in Biological Science (MRC Toxicology Unit)

The mission of the MRC Toxicology Unit is to deliver field-changing mechanistic insights into toxicology and disease. This is achieved by Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £9,858 per year (UK)

PhD in Biological Science (EBI)

Established in 1983, the EMBL International PhD Programme provides students with the best starting platform for a successful career in Read more...

PhD in Computation, Cognition and Language

The PhD in Computation, Cognition and Language is a PhD track for students who conduct basic and applied research in the computational Read more...

PhD in Stem Cell Biology

The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute is a world-leading centre for stem cell research with a mission to transform human health through a deep Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,915 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £9,858 per year (UK)

PhD in Medical Science (MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit)

Research at the Medical Research Council - Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU) at the University of Cambridge aims to understand the Read more...

PhD in Genetics

Modern genetics research seeks to provide a systems-level understanding of biology by relating genome sequence to function and phenotype. Read more...

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Cambridge centre for data-driven discovery, c2d3 computational biology.

We are living in a very exciting time for biology: whole-genome sequencing has opened up the field of genome-scale biology and with this a trend to larger-scale experiments, whether based on DNA sequencing or other technologies such as microscopy.  However it is also a time of great opportunity for small-scale biology as there is a new wealth of data to build from: one can turn to a computer to ask questions that previously might have taken months to answer in the laboratory. One of the great challenges for the field is analysing the large amounts of complex data generated, and synthesising them into useful systems-wide models of biological processes. Whether operating on a large or small scale the use of mathematical and computational methods is becoming an integral part of biological research.

There remains a world-wide shortage of skilled computational biologists. An important part of C2D3 Computational Biology is an MPhil course based at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. The 11-month course introduces students to bioinformatics and other quantitative aspects of modern biology and medicine. It is intended especially for those whose first degree is in mathematics and computer science and others wishing to learn about the subject in preparation for a PhD course or a career in industry. Complementing the MPhil course is the Wellcome Trust PhD programme in Mathematical Genomics and Medicine.  Run jointly with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute this programme provides opportunities for collaborative research across the Cambridge region at the exciting interfaces between mathematics, genomics and medicine.

History and financial support 

C2D3 Computational Biology came about by the merger of the Cambridge Computational Biology Institute (CCBI) into C2D3 in 2021. The CCBI was established in 2003 to promote computational biology, interpreted broadly, within the University and in the region. It established (2004) the MPhil in Computational Biology programme, founded (2011) the Wellcome Trust Mathematical Genomics and Medicine 4-year PhD programme, and, among other activities, started a popular computational biology annual symposium. The CCBI was involved in setting up and helping to run the Cambridge Big Data (CBD) Strategic Research Initiative out of which the C2D3 Interdisciplinary Research Centre was formed. Similarly the CCBI was part of the group that helped set up the Alan Turing Institute.  

The CCBI received financial support equally from the four science schools of the University: 

• The School of the Biological Sciences      
• The School of Clinical Medicine      
• The School of the Physical Sciences (via DAMTP, Physics, Chemistry)      
• The School of Technology (via Engineering, Computer Science) 

Space was kindly provided by the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, within the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. 

MPhil in Computational Biology  

The Cambridge-MIT Institute provided funds to establish the MPhil in Computational Biology and subsequently studentships have been provided by: 

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council      
• Cancer Research UK      
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council      
• Medical Research Council      
• Microsoft Research 

MGM PhD Programme 

The PhD programme in Mathematical Genomics and Medicine is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

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To sign-up to the mailing list, with option to join the C2D3 main mailing list, please complete the appropriate form here .

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Abstract not available

The evolution of gene regulation, compensation and expression noise

View all talks...

The Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery (C2D3) brings together researchers and expertise from across the academic departments and industry to drive research into the analysis, understanding and use of data science and AI. C2D3 is an Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge.

• Supports and connects the growing data science and AI research community 
• Builds research capacity in data science and AI to tackle complex issues 
• Drives new research challenges through collaborative research projects 
• Promotes and provides opportunities for knowledge transfer 
• Identifies and provides training courses for students, academics, industry and the third sector 
• Serves as a gateway for external organisations 

Request an appointment   Clinical Trials   Give Now

Ginny L. Clements Breast Cancer Research Institute

UArizona graduate students advance cancer research

This month, students in the Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program graduated in a special convocation for Interdisciplinary and Biomedical Sciences at the Health Sciences Innovation Building on May 8. 

The Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) also had graduates, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral, who worked tirelessly for the Community Assessment of Southern Arizona survey and Research Outreach for Southern Arizona programs, according to Monica Yellowhair , PhD, interim associate director of COE and tribal relations.

We congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication to preventing and curing cancer through research and collaboration. We are also grateful for strong mentorship from Cancer Center members Cynthia Miranti , PhD; Curtis Thorne , PhD; Noel Warfel , PhD; George T Wondrak , PhD; Marina Cardo-Vila , PhD;   Koenraad Van Doorslaer , PhD; and Jorge Camarillo , MA, program coordinator. 

Cancer Biology, Graduate Interdisciplinary Program

Program chair: cynthia miranti, phd vice chair: noel warfel, phd.

Danielle L. Sawyer, PhD, spring 2024

"The S180R Human Germline Variant of DNA Polymerase β Exhibits Low Fidelity and the Potential to Drive Cancer Formation" Mentor: Joann Sweasy, PhD Hooding: Marina Cardo-Vila, PhD

Anh B. Hua, PhD, spring 2024

"Bifunctional Glycosylase NEIL2 Plays an Important Role in Maintaining Cellular Genomic Integrity" Mentor: Joann Sweasy, PhD Hooding: Georg T. Wondrak, PhD

Angelica Escoto, PhD, summer 2024

"Investigating the Role of Nuclear EGFR in Regulating the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Breast Cancer" Mentor: Joyce Schroeder, PhD Hooding: Frans Tax, PhD

Carly Cabel, PhD, summer 2023

"The S180R Human Germline Variant of DNA Polymerase β Exhibits Low Fidelity and the Potential to drive Cancer Formation Mentor: Joann Sweasy, PhD Hooding: Marina Cardo-Vila, PhD

Not pictured:

Reeba P. Varghese, PhD, winter 2023 “Discover and Characterization of a Glycogen Synthase Kinase – 3 Small Molecule Activator” Mentor: Curtis Thorne, PhD

David Evan Joseph Williams, PhD, spring 2024 “Quasivirus Infection Model Identifies a Novel Role for Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 in the   HPV Lifecycle” Mentor: Koenraad Van Doorslaer, PhD

Allison Moreno Samayoa, PhD, summer 2024 “Cysteine and Methionine Deprivation and N-Acetyl Cysteine as a Novel Cancer Treatment A” Mentor: Andrew Paek, PhD

Amber N. Clements, PhD, s ummer 2024 “Pim Kinases Alter the Prostate Tumor Immune Microenvironment” Mentor: Noel Warfel, PhD   

Jennifer Nicole Daw, PhD, summer 2024 “A New Role of Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS2) in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Cells” Mentors: Ronald Heimark, PhD and William Monfort, PhD

Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement

Interim associate director of coe and tribal relations: monica yellowhair, phd.

Vikrant Deshmukh , MS, spring 2024

Major:  Data Science What are your goals after graduation? My goal is to drive positive change in healthcare, with a focus on the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, by utilizing my skills in analytics and business strategy to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. I would also like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Namoonga Mantina , and the COE team for their constant support throughout these years.

Gauri Yadav, MS, December 2023 Trevor Centeno-Hall, MS Halle Kirk-Tiefenthaler, BS Desiree Jones, DrPH

Search form

Graduate research assistant opportunity.

Dr. Zach Zbinden , based at the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory , is excited to invite applications for a Graduate Research Assistant (MS or PhD) to contribute to a cutting-edge research project investigating landscape genomics, ecology, and the evolutionary processes of fish species across the Ozark Highlands. This role is an exceptional opportunity for a highly motivated student to develop skills in high-performance computing, bioinformatics, and the analysis of next-generation sequencing data using tools like R and Python.

Key Details

• Start Date: Spring or Fall 2025
• Location: Frostburg, Maryland, home of the Appalachian Laboratory, is a charming college town known for its low cost of living and plentiful outdoor recreation. The lab offers a distinctive, research-centric educational experience, promoting study across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. More information about the lab and the surrounding community can be found here .

Qualifications

Minimum: BA, BS, or MS in biology, ecology, environmental science, fisheries and wildlife science, or a related field. Proficiency in reading scientific literature.

Preferred: Experience in landscape genomics, next-generation sequencing data analysis, and proficiency in R, Python, Bash, or ArcGIS.

Position Benefits

• The annual stipend is approximately $33,671, with a tuition waiver included.
• Support is guaranteed for at least 3.0 years.

Program Information Successful candidates will enroll through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences (MEES) graduate program at the University of Maryland College Park. While the student's office will be at the Appalachian Laboratory, graduate classes are offered in person and virtually by professors across MEES.

Application Deadlines:

• Spring 2025: September 30, 2024
• Fall 2025: January 17, 2025

How to Apply To express interest, please email Dr. Zbinden at [email protected] with the following:

• Cover letter expressing interest in the position, relevant research experience, and career goals
• Your curriculum vitae
• Unofficial college transcripts

Selected candidates will be contacted for further discussions, and a subset will be invited to formally apply to MEES. Do not miss this unique chance to expand your expertise while significantly impacting landscape genomics research at UMCES!

Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Zbinden is passionate about fostering diversity in science and strongly encourages students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM to apply. For inquiries, feel free to reach out to him directly.

Information about AL and UMCES can be found at: https://www.umces.edu/al . UMCES is an affirmative action EOE. Individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal-opportunity employer. The Center's policies, programs, and activities conform with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Center Administration, Cambridge, MD 21613.

Biological Sciences

• Mellon College of Science

M.S. in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

The study of Biology is undergoing a revolution driven by new technologies that enable scientists to generate extensive amounts of data.  For example, the costs of sequencing nucleic acids have dropped dramatically, resulting in unprecedented amounts of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.  Advances in imaging extend from the nano to the macro scale to probe function and generate enormous amounts of data that describe behaviours of cells from subcellular to organ-levels.  The new datasets cut across all subdisciplines in biology and enable scientists to ask questions in new ways to reveal the fundamental rules of life.

The M.S. in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics (MS-QBB) will prepare students for new careers bioinformatics and related fields. Our mission is to provide students who have background in life sciences skills to prepare for careers in bioinformatics. This program allows student to choose a 2-semester or a 3-semester program of study. If you are interested in applying, learn more about the application process on our admissions page or e-mail us .

Program Mission

To provide students who have a background in biology and other sciences with a practical and focused educational experience to prepare them for careers in bioinformatics and quantitative biological science.

2-semester M.S. in QBB

Our 2-semester option allows students to quickly gain the most relevant skills in bioinformatics. Students will begin study in late August and graduate in late May.

3-semester M.S. in QBB - Advanced Study

The 3-semester option allows students to spend a third semester gaining additional experience and some more advanced coursework. Students will begin study in late August, have the option to earn course credit with optional summer internships (interested students may apply to these in the first year), then students will complete their third semester in the following Fall and graduate in late December.

Students are encouraged to seek external internships after their first year and pursue this degree full-time, completing the program in 3 semesters.

Related programs

Students who are interested in this program may also want to consider the M.S. in Computational Biology and M.S. in Automated Science programs . Those programs expect a higher level of quantitative background & skills to enter and are designed to engage students with a more in-depth focus computational machine learning competencies and the application of machine learning to biological research.

How to Apply

The CMU Rales Fellow Program is dedicated to developing a diverse community of STEM leaders from underrepresented and underresourced backgrounds by eliminating cost as a barrier to education. Learn more about this program for master's and Ph.D. students. Learn more

Join our growing network of prospective students!

Fill in the form below to connect with a program advisor

• Graduate Students
• Administration

Quantum physics proposes a new way to study biology – and the results could revolutionize our understanding of how life works

Quantum Biology Tech (QuBiT) Lab, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles

Disclosure statement

Clarice D. Aiello receives funding from NSF, ONR, IDOR Foundation, Faggin Foundation, Templeton Foundation.

University of California, Los Angeles provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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Imagine using your cellphone to control the activity of your own cells to treat injuries and disease. It sounds like something from the imagination of an overly optimistic science fiction writer. But this may one day be a possibility through the emerging field of quantum biology.

Over the past few decades, scientists have made incredible progress in understanding and manipulating biological systems at increasingly small scales, from protein folding to genetic engineering . And yet, the extent to which quantum effects influence living systems remains barely understood.

Quantum effects are phenomena that occur between atoms and molecules that can’t be explained by classical physics. It has been known for more than a century that the rules of classical mechanics, like Newton’s laws of motion, break down at atomic scales . Instead, tiny objects behave according to a different set of laws known as quantum mechanics .

For humans, who can only perceive the macroscopic world, or what’s visible to the naked eye, quantum mechanics can seem counterintuitive and somewhat magical. Things you might not expect happen in the quantum world, like electrons “tunneling” through tiny energy barriers and appearing on the other side unscathed, or being in two different places at the same time in a phenomenon called superposition .

I am trained as a quantum engineer . Research in quantum mechanics is usually geared toward technology. However, and somewhat surprisingly, there is increasing evidence that nature – an engineer with billions of years of practice – has learned how to use quantum mechanics to function optimally . If this is indeed true, it means that our understanding of biology is radically incomplete. It also means that we could possibly control physiological processes by using the quantum properties of biological matter.

Quantumness in biology is probably real

Researchers can manipulate quantum phenomena to build better technology. In fact, you already live in a quantum-powered world : from laser pointers to GPS, magnetic resonance imaging and the transistors in your computer – all these technologies rely on quantum effects.

In general, quantum effects only manifest at very small length and mass scales, or when temperatures approach absolute zero. This is because quantum objects like atoms and molecules lose their “quantumness” when they uncontrollably interact with each other and their environment. In other words, a macroscopic collection of quantum objects is better described by the laws of classical mechanics. Everything that starts quantum dies classical. For example, an electron can be manipulated to be in two places at the same time, but it will end up in only one place after a short while – exactly what would be expected classically.

In a complicated, noisy biological system, it is thus expected that most quantum effects will rapidly disappear, washed out in what the physicist Erwin Schrödinger called the “ warm, wet environment of the cell .” To most physicists, the fact that the living world operates at elevated temperatures and in complex environments implies that biology can be adequately and fully described by classical physics: no funky barrier crossing, no being in multiple locations simultaneously.

Chemists, however, have for a long time begged to differ. Research on basic chemical reactions at room temperature unambiguously shows that processes occurring within biomolecules like proteins and genetic material are the result of quantum effects. Importantly, such nanoscopic, short-lived quantum effects are consistent with driving some macroscopic physiological processes that biologists have measured in living cells and organisms. Research suggests that quantum effects influence biological functions, including regulating enzyme activity , sensing magnetic fields , cell metabolism and electron transport in biomolecules .

How to study quantum biology

The tantalizing possibility that subtle quantum effects can tweak biological processes presents both an exciting frontier and a challenge to scientists. Studying quantum mechanical effects in biology requires tools that can measure the short time scales, small length scales and subtle differences in quantum states that give rise to physiological changes – all integrated within a traditional wet lab environment.

In my work , I build instruments to study and control the quantum properties of small things like electrons. In the same way that electrons have mass and charge, they also have a quantum property called spin . Spin defines how the electrons interact with a magnetic field, in the same way that charge defines how electrons interact with an electric field. The quantum experiments I have been building since graduate school , and now in my own lab, aim to apply tailored magnetic fields to change the spins of particular electrons.

Research has demonstrated that many physiological processes are influenced by weak magnetic fields. These processes include stem cell development and maturation , cell proliferation rates , genetic material repair and countless others . These physiological responses to magnetic fields are consistent with chemical reactions that depend on the spin of particular electrons within molecules. Applying a weak magnetic field to change electron spins can thus effectively control a chemical reaction’s final products, with important physiological consequences.

Currently, a lack of understanding of how such processes work at the nanoscale level prevents researchers from determining exactly what strength and frequency of magnetic fields cause specific chemical reactions in cells. Current cellphone, wearable and miniaturization technologies are already sufficient to produce tailored, weak magnetic fields that change physiology , both for good and for bad. The missing piece of the puzzle is, hence, a “deterministic codebook” of how to map quantum causes to physiological outcomes.

In the future, fine-tuning nature’s quantum properties could enable researchers to develop therapeutic devices that are noninvasive, remotely controlled and accessible with a mobile phone. Electromagnetic treatments could potentially be used to prevent and treat disease, such as brain tumors , as well as in biomanufacturing, such as increasing lab-grown meat production .

A whole new way of doing science

Quantum biology is one of the most interdisciplinary fields to ever emerge. How do you build community and train scientists to work in this area?

Since the pandemic, my lab at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Surrey’s Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre have organized Big Quantum Biology meetings to provide an informal weekly forum for researchers to meet and share their expertise in fields like mainstream quantum physics, biophysics, medicine, chemistry and biology.

Research with potentially transformative implications for biology, medicine and the physical sciences will require working within an equally transformative model of collaboration. Working in one unified lab would allow scientists from disciplines that take very different approaches to research to conduct experiments that meet the breadth of quantum biology from the quantum to the molecular, the cellular and the organismal.

The existence of quantum biology as a discipline implies that traditional understanding of life processes is incomplete. Further research will lead to new insights into the age-old question of what life is, how it can be controlled and how to learn with nature to build better quantum technologies.

• Quantum mechanics
• Quantum physics
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Biology staff member honored for ‘herculean’ work

Massey Award winner Summer Montgomery ’81 is a student service specialist in the University’s largest department.

In 1981, her senior year, Summer Montgomery took a class unrelated to her major in radio, television and motion pictures: Botany 10. Now, 43 years later, Montgomery works as a student service specialist for UNC-Chapel Hill’s biology department in Coker Hall, just down the hall from where that class was held in Room 201.

The botany course’s instructor made a big impact on the young Tar Heel.

“His name was Dr. William Koch, but he made sure everyone called him Willy,” Montgomery said. “He taught me how to think outside of the box, expand my mind and realize that it’s never too late to learn something new.”

Montgomery credits much of her personal success to this advice. That success includes the 2024 Massey Award, which honors “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees.

“It’s the biggest honor of my life,” Montgomery said, and the comments from the nominators make it clear that it is a well-deserved one. They described Montgomery’s work as “supportive, dedicated and herculean.”

Her connection to the campus she now serves dates back as long as she can remember. Montgomery has fond memories of being on campus as a child and attending Tar Heel football games with her father, a Carolina alumnus.

“I’m a Carolina girl,” Montgomery said. “I was born a Carolina girl.”

On top of a love for all things Carolina, her parents also emphasized the importance of education. Her father was an education professor at Catawba College, and her mother was an eighth-grade teacher. This appreciation for education was heightened by the instructors she had at Carolina, particularly Koch.

But Montgomery’s life journey took an unexpected detour after her graduation from Carolina.

“I became a flight attendant,” Montgomery said. “I loved it, but I learned it was a different world out there. It made me realize Chapel Hill is really magical, so I quickly moved back here during that time.”

Montgomery held administrative and managerial positions in the former recreation and leisure studies department and in the ROTC program before joining the biology department in 2010. Biology is the largest department on campus, with over 2,800 biology majors and 70 faculty members. Her primary duties include student registration and course scheduling. On any given day, she may be actively working in five different semesters.

While the job is stressful at times, Montgomery finds comfort in an office decorated with objects connected to her interests. Her “Twilight Zone” lunchboxes, a life-size standee of Charles Darwin and other knickknacks also spark joy among the biology department’s students and faculty.

“I love my job working here with students,” Montgomery said. “I just want us all to work in a place where we can all still have fun and I hope I leave a good impact on people.”

Reflecting on her Massey Award, Montgomery feels as if her time at Carolina has truly come full circle.

“Willy passed just before I started working with the department in 2010,” Montgomery said. “I don’t think I realized what an impact he had on me until I was older. But I’m in the same building he once was, and I have a copy of his obituary here on my desk. It makes me feel great.”

Montgomery still finds time to sit in on classes, keeping up with what’s going on and expanding her mind over four decades after she graduated.

It’s safe to say her former Botany 10 instructor would be proud.

The Massey Award winner “leads not by the example of his power, but by the power of his example.”

Watch Zena Cardman’s Spring Commencement speech

The double Tar Heel and NASA astronaut imparted wisdom to Carolina graduates months before she’s set to embark on her first spaceflight.

Campus ceremonies celebrate graduates

Ahead of Spring Commencement, Carolina graduates celebrated their achievements at ceremonies around campus.

Doctoral hooding speakers encourage curiosity

Encouraging a “culture of openness,” they charged graduates to stay collaborative and committed to service.

Rewatch 2024 Spring Commencement and Doctoral Hooding

The University celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2024 at Doctoral Hooding and Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Giovanni Biggers will use MAPS degree to boost others

He focused on business and public policy in the UNC Graduate School’s flexible interdisciplinary program.

The Class of 2024 writes a letter to Carolina

Through social media submissions, graduates share how the University has impacted their lives.

Look back at the Class of 2024’s big night

In this video from Carolina’s Spring Commencement, watch the celebration and catch the fireworks.

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Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field defined by the use of computational approaches to capture, store and analyse large amounts of biological information. It plays a central role in all areas of biological research, providing novel insights in biological, clinical and environmental areas.

The bioinformatics training facility of the school of biological sciences organizes high-quality, hands-on training courses in bioinformatics and computational biology, targeting all audiences, from undergraduate to postgraduate level and beyond., school-based facilities open to all include:, bioinformatics training facility at the department of genetics, high performance computing services.

Complementing local bioinformatics expertise, resources and services within the Departments, the Bioinformatics Training Facility supports all levels of expertise and ability, and provides essential guidance for new users of the University's High Performance Computing Service (HPCS).

Training and resources available:

• Basic Skills and Programming
• Databases and Services
• Biostatistics
• Introduction to the High Performance Computing Service​

The facility is based in the Department of Genetics (see map )

Bioinformatics Training Facility Manager: Matt Castle

Website:  Bioinformatics Training | (cam.ac.uk)

Email:  [email protected]

The facility is open to all members of the University. Members of the School can also join a Bioinformatics Training mailing list and a Slack group. More information is available on the School Information Hub (Raven login required).

More information

High performance computing service, equipment and services.

• High Performance Computing
• Cambridge Service for Data-Driven Discovery (CSD3)
• Storage Services

Email:  [email protected]

The facility is open to all group leaders at the University of Cambridge. Group leaders can take on users under their own allocated resources.

Related Links

European bioinformatics institute (embl-ebi), bioinformatics at the gurdon institute, bioinformatics at the cambridge stem cell institute, for staff and students.

Information for staff and students about School and Departmental IT services and support is available on the  School Information Hub  (Raven login required).

Postal Address: School of the Biological Sciences 17 Mill Lane Cambridge CB2 1RX Information provided by:     [email protected]

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The Department of Plant Sciences is an outstanding University Centre for research in plant and microbial sciences. It offers unrivalled research and training opportunities in the following areas of plant and microbial science:

• Cell function & responses to the environment
• Developmental biology & signalling
• Genetics and epigenetics
• Ecosystem function and conservation
• Evolution and diversity
• Microbiology & biotic interactions
• Plant pathology and epidemiology
• Systems and mathematical biology
• Enhancing photosynthesis
• Biotechnology and engineering

The Crop Science Centre is an alliance between the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences and the crop research organisation NIAB. The Centre will serve as a global hub for crop science research and a base for collaborations with research partners around the world. 

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's principal research degree. A PhD in Plant Sciences takes three to four years of full-time study to complete and consists of research and courses as required under academic supervision. Applicants should contact a potential supervisor before proceeding with their PhD application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the  Research Group Leaders  to check details of their research.

The aim of PhD training is to develop both a deep theoretical and practical understanding through research into aspects of Plant Sciences, augmented by appropriate lecture courses delivered within the Department, or more generally across the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences.

The course provides training in a wide range of disciplines, which can include plant genetic engineering, plant development, plant molecular biology, plant biophysics, plant biochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, algal microbiology, plant ecology, crop biology, plant virology, plant epigenetics, epidemiology, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, eco-physiology and bioinformatics.

Having identified a research area of interest and contacted the appropriate supervisor, the first stage in developing an application should be to draft an appropriate research summary of the training to be undertaken.

Full-time PhD students must submit a thesis for examination by the end of their fourth year of study, although we encourage students and their supervisors to complete the thesis and submit within the period of funding support which, depending on the programme, may range from three to four years.

All postgraduate students attend induction and safety training courses in the Department.  

As well as undertaking their research, students will attend courses and lectures on some of the following: instrumentation, sequencing and database use, statistics, experimental design, analysing data, writing reports and a thesis, and how to give effective scientific presentations. Students are expected to take part in the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences' Researcher Development Programme . 

Students receive termly reports on their work.

Learning Outcomes

The primary outcomes from successfully completing a PhD include expertise in:

• specialist training in experimental or theoretical methods;
• an ability to analyse relevant literature and apply to the development of innovative research;
• capacity to develop and apply data abstraction and analytical procedures with an appropriate level of statistical validation;
• independence in designing and conducting original research, and preparing that data in a format suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• enhanced organisational skills, in terms of time management, good laboratory practices, safety and planning a specific programme of research.

The overall outcome should ensure that a PhD candidate is well-prepared to undertake additional independent research, whether as a continuation in their existing research field or applying their expertise and understanding in a new field. PhD candidates will also have a good grounding in the collation and organisation of research for reports or peer-reviewed papers, and so should be prepared either for a career in academia or more applied fields.

To assist in the delivery of these learning outcomes, assessment of an individual PhD candidate's progress is made via a standard series of review protocols including the drafting of a project proposal after four weeks, delivery of a seminar, and preparation of a thesis plan and outline four months in advance of the due submission date.

As a PhD student, you must keep a separate training log, in which you will record all seminars and lectures attended and given, training undertaken, the highlights of your research work, and your notes of discussions with your supervisor(s). This log will be quite distinct from your laboratory notebook(s) which should contain all the details of your research work.

The PhD thesis has a word limit set at 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission), exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices. 

The PhD provides specialist training in scientific methodology relevant to the project subject area and based on the expertise of the supervisor and research group. This training also enables students from other scientific areas to proceed in a career in plant sciences and other allied areas. General training is also available and includes courses and lectures in instrumentation, sequencing and database use, statistics, experimental design, analysing data, writing reports and a thesis, and how to give effective scientific presentations. 

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of plant sciences, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024 (closed), easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

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• Biological Science (Plant Sciences) by thesis MPhil

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