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Wellcome Trust Graduate programme in Cellular Structural Biology

Doctoral Programme, October 2024 Entry

The University of Oxford, Diamond Light Source and the Rosalind Franklin Institute, in conjunction with the Wellcome Trust, offers a four-year graduate programme in Cellular Structural Biology, leading to the PhD degree.

The graduate programme is intended to provide training in structural biology methodology and to support the application of this knowledge to methods development or to the study of molecular and cellular function. Designed to nurture independent and creative scientists, the programme offers a stimulating educational experience.

The programme combines scientific excellence with a commitment to improving the working environment and transition support for trainees. We are committed to developing a diverse cohort of students and to being part of an evolving community of practitioners who will develop and share practice to bring science and culture together, placing both firmly at the heart of what we do.

Structure and Organisation of the Programme

Students spend the first year learning a range of structural biology techniques by undertaking two five-month projects in different laboratories, and by taking taught courses and participating in research seminars. These elements train our students in key structural biology techniques and expose them to possible thesis advisers for their doctoral work. Students can then make an informed choice of their main thesis research project for the subsequent three years.

Projects cover a wide range of topics and techniques in structural biology, including NMR; X-ray crystallography; free electron lasers and scattering; electron microscopy; a wide range of biophysical, genetic and cell biological techniques; bioinformatics and molecular simulations.

Further information

The programme is jointly co-ordinated by the Division of Structural Biology, the Department of Biochemistry, Diamond Light source and the Rosalind Franklin Institute. A list of potential supervisors available for rotations and thesis research can be found here.

Six places with full funding are available for entry in October 2024. These studentships (five funded by the Wellcome Trust and one funded by Diamond Light Source) offer a generous stipend, course fees, a significant annual research allowance and funds for training and attendance at conferences. There are also generous funds available to support students at the end of the course to prepare for the next step in their career. All applications must be received by the deadline of 12 noon UK time Friday 1 December 2023.

Click for more information on this programme, Wellcome Trust studentships & how to apply.

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