Biology (MPhil / PhD)

OUR RESEARCH CULTURE

Our Department has excellent computing facilities and infrastructure, including large clusters supported by three full-time computer management staff. Through the ISMB staff, students are able to access a still wider range of equipment on the UCL campus, including protein nanoelectrospray, mass spectrometry and protein NMR.

TRAINING AND METHODOLOGY

Studying for a PhD will provide you with opportunities to make your own research discoveries within the research-intensive environment of the ISMB. You will receive guidance from your project supervisor, from the PhD Graduate Committee, and from other members of the academic staff as you carry out your research and your progress is assessed.

PhD students are assessed throughout their studies and are required to meet specific assessment milestones, which include written reports, oral and poster presentations, essays and vivas. The assessment process ensures that you will have the opportunity to develop your eventual thesis, and that guidance and improvement can be provided to you throughout your studies. Once submitted, assessment of the thesis includes an oral viva.

Please note that laboratory-based research usually requires a full-time commitment. Part-time research is not feasible for many laboratory-based projects. Where appropriate, part-time students may carry out some of their research at their place of work.

We provide a wide range of courses catering specifically for the training needs of research students. This training includes a formal programme of lectures on graduate studies (Science in the Real World), transferable skills and modern techniques.

We run lecture courses which are especially relevant to PhD students in particular research areas (including a series on the Principles and Practice of Structural Biology and an advanced lecture series). You are also encouraged to attend any appropriate lectures from our departmental MSc programmes and distance learning courses, subject to approval by your supervisor. Depending on your chosen supervisor and research project you may have the opportunity to attend and contribute to research laboratory group meetings, or to attend external conferences.

PHD STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Activities that will further enhance your scientific experience include: a biennial retreat; a biennial symposium; an annual graduate symposium; weekly 'Friday Wrap' meetings where postdocs and senior PhD students present their latest work; and a series of joint ISMB seminars that take place throughout term-time. There are other seminar opportunities in the numerous surrounding research institutes, and skills training opportunities including careers days.