PhD in Biological Science (MRC Toxicology Unit)

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

The MRC Toxicology Unit offers a number of fully funded PhD studentships each year. These are advertised by the potential Supervisor for a specific research project and can be found here: PhD Programme | MRC Toxicology Unit (cam.ac.uk).

Alternatively, candidates are welcome to suggest and develop their own project with a potential Supervisor. The candidate will need to identify a potential Supervisor and contact them to discuss the ideas for a research project and see if they can accommodate the candidate within their research group. If a candidate is accepted, they will need to provide their own funding; the University has a number of funding opportunities, and the deadlines for these are usually towards the end of the calendar year.

Selection Process

Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been successful within 12 weeks following the submission of their completed application and the required supporting documents.

Appointment to a studentship will normally follow a two-stage selection process: a panel interview to assess overall suitability for a PhD studentship at the Toxicology Unit and a second stage 1:1 interview with the potential Supervisor(s).

The interviewers must be satisfied that the candidate is suitably qualified and capable of undertaking the proposed research and presenting a final thesis.

The formal offer of admission will be made by the Postgraduate Admissions Office on the recommendation of the Unit.

Further information on How To Apply

Things You'll Need

You should start preparing the things that you'll need when you apply. These will be mandatory, unless specifically flagged as optional.

• Two referees willing to give you a reference
  Either academic or professional – please see our References guidance for more information about which type you need. Your referees will need to have submitted their reference by the course deadline.
• Transcript  
• CV/resume
• Evidence of competence in English
  If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information.
• Statement of Interest (mandatory)
• Research Proposal (optional)
• Proposed Supervisor (mandatory)
  Before submitting your application, we suggest you contact a Supervisor. Applications without a potential Supervisor will not be considered. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below.
• School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
  Applicants to this course are being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/contextual-data

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:

• Gates Cambridge Reference  
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.

How to Find a Supervisor

It is important to read and research the description of the research undertaken at the Unit prior to making an application: Research | MRC Toxicology Unit (cam.ac.uk).

Potential Supervisors can be found on the list of MRC Principal Investigators: Principal Investigators | MRC Toxicology Unit (cam.ac.uk)

Prior to formally applying, candidates should Identify a potential Supervisor of interest and contact them to see if their research interests are aligned with that research group. Candidates should highlight why they are interested in applying for a PhD within a particular area of research at the Toxicology Unit. Applications without a named Supervisor will not be considered.