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We have 32 Molecular Biology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Birmingham
Molecular Biology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Birmingham
We have 32 Molecular Biology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Birmingham
Studying a PhD in Molecular Biology would provide you with the chance to guide your own research project. With a strong link to Cell Biology, Molecular Biology projects revolve around understanding the composition, structure, and interaction of molecules within the cell that control its function. These are generally laboratory-based projects.
What’s it like to do a PhD in Molecular Biology?
As a PhD student in Molecular Biology, you’ll develop extensive laboratory skills including DNA sequencing, expression cloning, gene knockout, and DNA or protein arrays. Your understanding of the range of techniques available to you will continually improve as you’ll read the latest publications in the field.
Some typical research topics in Molecular Biology include:
- Understanding the role of a certain protein within a cell
- Investigating DNA repair mechanisms and potential faults
- Studying the difference in post-translational modifications in response to stimuli
- Development of novel therapeutics
- Investigating how proteins act differently in a disease
- Studying DNA replication
A majority of Molecular Biology projects are proposed in advance by the supervisor and are advertised on the university website. Some of these projects are fully-funded by the university or a doctoral training programme, while others require you to self-fund.
Suggesting a project for yourself is uncommon in Molecular Biology, due to the challenge of finding funding to cover PhD and bench fees, as well as having to find a supervisor with suitable equipment and research interests to support your project.
Day-to-day, you’ll be in the laboratory preparing or conducting experiments, analysing previous data, creating figures, and writing up the results, alongside quick chats with your colleagues and supervisors about your work.
In the final year of your PhD, you’ll complete an original thesis of approximately 60,000 words in length and give an oral defence of this during a viva exam.
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for most Molecular Biology PhD programmes involve a Masters in a subject directly related to Biology, with at least a Merit or Distinction. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need to show that you have the right level of language proficiency.
PhD in Molecular Biology funding options
The research council responsible for funding Molecular Biology PhDs in the UK is the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). They provide fully-funded studentships including a stipend for living costs, a consumables budget for bench fees and a tuition fee waiver. Students don’t apply directly to the BBSRC, you apply for advertised projects with this funding attached.
It’s uncommon for Molecular Biology PhD students to be ‘self-funded’ due to the additional bench fees. However, if you were planning to fund yourself it might be achievable (depending on your project) through the UK government’s PhD loan and part-time work.
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Biology of Ageing and Rejuvenation
We are seeking talented, motivated students with a passion for research in the biology of ageing to join the Genomics of Ageing and Rejuvenation Lab led by Prof Joao Pedro de Magalhaes (. Read more
Determining novel molecular regulators of necrosis controlling premature cell death
Necrosis, a form of premature cell death, is frequently caused by excessive insults such as trauma, infection and toxins. It has been implicated in many human diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and inflammatory diseases. Read more
Regulation of apoptosis-induced compensatory cell proliferation and its implications for cancer and tissue regeneration
In multi-cellular organisms, coordinated cell death (e.g. apoptosis) and cell replacement is critical for tissue recovery in response to stress or damage. Read more
Functionalized nanoparticles for experimental colorectal cancer therapy
Applications are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the College of Health and Life Sciences, at Aston University. Read more
Development and Application of Enabling Methods for Drug Discovery
Transient protein-protein interactions (PPIs) control all cellular processes relevant to health and disease. Thus, a major problem in life-sciences research is to understand and manipulate PPIs with molecular and temporal resolution. Read more
Understanding the cellular mechanisms underpinning the loss of bone homeostasis in inflammation and ageing to identify novel therapeutic targets
We are seeking talented, motivated students with a passion for research to join the research team led by Dr Amy Naylor. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/inflammation-ageing/naylor-amy.aspx. Read more
Developing and applying computational methods to study ageing and rejuvenation
Ageing is the chief biomedical challenge of the 21st century, yet it remains a major puzzle of biology. Recent studies have shown that cells can be rejuvenated, and biological clocks reset, using cellular reprogramming. Read more
BBSRC MIBTP - Identification of pathways deregulating neuronal ELAV/Hu RNA binding proteins and alternative splicing in neurodegeneration
Research Group:
BBSRC MIBTP
ELAV/Hu proteins comprise a family of highly conserved neuronal RNA binding proteins important for the development of the nervous system and for neuronal functions. Read more
Elucidating the mechanisms of outer membrane biogenesis in Gram-negative bacteria
The emergence of bacteria that are resistant to available antibiotics represents an enormous and growing global threat requiring new targets and strategies to combat infection. Read more
Analysis of pathogen determinants recognized by the hypervariable immune receptor Dscam
Background. To mount an immune response, host organisms must first recognize the pathogen with which they are infected. The first line of defense against pathogen infection in animals is provided through the innate immune response. Read more
Investigating the radiobiology of protons and BNCT in head and neck tumour treatment
Background. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide with an annual incidence of ~800,000 cases/year. Read more
Design, construction and testing of recombinant protein production systems for industrial biotechnology applications.
The production of recombinant biopharmaceuticals, e.g., antibody fragments and growth hormones, is a billion-dollar industry, with many therapeutic proteins being expressed in the bacterium Escherichia coli [1]. Read more
Investigating the role of lactate in tuberculosis disease
About the project. We are seeking talented, hard-working and motivated students with a passion for research in Immunology, Metabolism and Infectious diseases to join the team led by Dr Alba Llibre (. Read more
Understanding the role of the immune system in progression of fibrosis
The pathogenic mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is still not well understood. Initially believed to be a side effect of dysregulated inflammatory processes as the main driver, data now appears not to support this. Read more
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Control of breathing during exercise and respiratory neuroplasticity
The College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham offers a fully-funded 3.5 year PhD studentship to an enthusiastic and talented individual seeking to undertake a research project in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Read more