We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated students to train for careers in tomorrow’s life science industries.

The Life Sciences Doctoral Training Centre represents a new route to a PhD in Life Sciences with excellent opportunities for training and research. Funded by the BBSRC, the Life Sciences DTC is an interdisciplinary centre incorporating all departments and centres carrying out Life Sciences research. Chief among these are the School of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry. Key associated centres include Warwick Medical School, Warwick Systems Biology and the Department of Physics.  All these centres are engaged in research of a particularly high quality and all departments received very high ratings in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. Between them, they cover a spectrum of topics in Life Sciences research ranging from whole-organism animal and plant research to singlemolecule structural biology. Interdisciplinary research is an increasingly prominent theme, with numerous groups engaged in collaborative studies on small- and large-scale biological problems.

The Life Science Doctoral Training Programme has been designed to prepare students for a rewarding and productive PhD as preparation for a successful career.  Students work on a project within specific research groups.  

The PhD entry routes available are:

• Route 1.4 year PhD incorporating an initial 9-month practical training course.   Applicants identify a preferred PhD project and supervisor at application.
• Route 2. 4 year PhD incorporating the same 9 month practical training course, but applicants can choose a PhD project and supervisor at the end of the training course after exposure to different research areas.
• Route 3. 3 year PhD for those already holding an MSc or equivalent professional qualification or experience. Applicants chose a PhD project and supervisor at application.

A list of potential projects is available on the Warwick Life Sciences website.

The School of Life Sciences has world-class research facilities and a formidable reputation for innovative science.  It houses groups engaged in a vast range of research areas including cell biology, microbiology, virology, structural biology, ecology and epidemiology, developmental genetics and neurobiology, plant science, crop and environmental sciences and applied microbial sciences. 

Chemistry has top groups in chemical biology (bioorganic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, structural biology, enzymology, natural products chemistry and biology) and molecular microbiology.


Training

Students will receive training modules in Life Science research skills, Instrumentation, Mathematics for Biologists and Society’s appreciation of science  followed by modules in a range transferable skills for scientists, some core and some optional.  Core skills include networking skills and team management, options include project management and public engagement skills.

Open Days

Open Days will be held on 15 December 2010 and on 17 March 2011.  The open days will illustrate the remarkable range of PhD projects on offer in Life Sciences areas within the University of Warwick.  The open day will include lunch, introductory talks, tours and interviews.  Formal interviews are mandatory for applicants to the BBSRC Life Sciences DTG; other visitors may meet potential supervisors informally.  Register to attend an Open Day on the Warwick Life Sciences website.

Benefits for students

• Access to world class facilities
• Excellent support structure
• Access to a cosmopolitan campus
• Annual stipend of at least £13,590
• Students will receive both specific, project-led skills training and career-broadening generic skills training.