Biological Science (Sanger Institute)

Entry requirements

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.

Months of entry

October

Course content

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.

Students are also expected to attend a number of training courses in transferable and general research skills, the graduate student lecture series and the students' journal club. There is an active seminar programme on site and at the University of Cambridge, and students are encouraged to present their work at both national and international scientific meetings, as well as to the Institute. Since our students are registered with the University of Cambridge and are members of a Cambridge college, they are able to take an active part in the University's academic and social life. They have access to events and courses run by the Graduate School of Life Sciences, and University facilities such as the library and the careers service.

Please note that applications submitted directly to the Sanger Institute are not applications to the course through the University of Cambridge admissions portal and students who are successful in gaining a funded place through the Sanger Institute will also subsequently be required to submit an application through the University’s Application Portal.