The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology occasionally takes on MPhil students, provided they have the support of a group leader in the Laboratory. Students should contact the group leader directly to obtain support. For information on our faculty members’ research interests, please visit the Research and the Group Leaders pages on the LMB website.

The research MPhil is assessed by submission of a thesis and an oral examination. Students start in October and the thesis is submitted by the end of August.

Applicants will generally have a bioscience background, but applicants with a computational, physics or mathematical background can also apply.

The MPhil aims to provide research opportunities in fields related to molecular and structural biology that reflect the laboratory's unique research strengths and contribute to its specific research priorities. The LMB also aims to provide students with general research and transferable skills training in addition to training in their specific research area.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the world's leading research institutes. Discoveries and inventions developed at the LMB, such as DNA sequencing or methods to determine the structure of proteins, have revolutionised all areas of biology. Our scientists work to advance the current knowledge of biological processes at the molecular level. This information will help us to understand the workings of complex systems, such as the immune system and the brain, and solve key problems in human health.

Every year, the LMB International PhD programme welcomes 20–30 postgraduate students from universities worldwide to do cutting-edge research. At the LMB, we aim to train the scientific leaders of the future: We seek engaged and motivated students, give them rewarding research projects, and provide a supportive environment with access to world-class facilities and experts.

Our building is at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, a hub of one of Europe's largest and most internationally competitive concentrations of healthcare-related talent and enterprise. The LMB building's stunning design is home to a globally competitive research centre with state-of-the-art facilities for making the discoveries of the 21st century.

We have an active student association, founded and run entirely by students, that organises numerous events specifically for postgraduates. Postgraduate students register for their PhD with the University of Cambridge and belong to a Cambridge College.

Modern genetics research seeks to provide a systems-level understanding of biology by relating genome sequence to function and phenotype. The research in the Department of Genetics covers a wide spectrum of biological problems, united by the application of genetics tools and approaches. Research themes range from understanding basic mechanisms in cell biology relating to the mechanics of division, migration, and communication through the large-scale analysis of genome regulation and epigenetic control, to aspects of population biology focused on issues of ecological, evolutionary, and human health significance and infectious disease.

Genetics has evolved beyond its traditional boundaries to become a fundamental part of biology and medicine. The department reflects this pervasiveness with research interests encompassing several high-impact themes, including functional genomics and systems biology, developmental genetics, epigenetic inheritance, evolution and population genetics, microbial genetics, infectious disease, and cell biology.

The Department of Genetics hosts between 70 and 80 postgraduate students across approximately 26 research groups, researching a wide range of biological problems, from population genetics and ecology to the detailed analysis of genome sequence. The department is based in a historic building on the Downing Site but has research groups located in the Gurdon Institute and Sainsbury Labs, as well as an impressive range of local, national, and international collaborations.

Most candidates taking this option start in October to take advantage of departmental and University induction programmes and the Funding Competition, but admission in January or April is also possible.

Please note: part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed Supervisor before applying for this mode of study.

PhD students at EMBL-EBI are members of the University of Cambridge and one of its Colleges. They receive their degree from Cambridge University; the programme is coordinated in Heidelberg with local support at EBI. Please visit the EMBL International PhD Programme pages to learn about how to apply. Please note all applicants must secure a place on the EMBL programme before submitting an application to the University of Cambridge.

EMBL PhD students receive theoretical and practical training and conduct a research project under the supervision of an EMBL faculty member, monitored by a thesis advisory committee. The duration of PhD studies is normally three-and-a-half to four years.

In Year 1 all new PhD students will attend the EMBL Predoctoral Core Course in Molecular Biology in Heidelberg; attend Primers for Predocs; undergo nomination of a thesis advisory committee to monitor student progress, and submit and defend a project proposal.

In Year 2 students will need to submit a second annual report to the thesis advisory committee, participate in the Bioinformatics course and predoc seminar day.

In Year 3 students will need to submit a third annual report to the thesis advisory committee.

In Years 3/4 students will need to write and submit their thesis: PhD awarded following Degree Committee approval and successful completion of an oral examination.

The BioSCaPe PhD programme is a four year fully-funded doctoral training programme that aims to develop future leaders in bioscience. Based within the world-class South Cambridgeshire bioscience cluster, the programme combines cutting-edge research with entrepreneurial and leadership training. Students will undertake their research in the University of Cambridge or one of its Partner Institutions – the Babraham Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, or the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology – and benefit from unique academic–industry collaboration through placements with their Industrial Partner (for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 18 months) and projects with companies and research parks.

BioSCaPe offers comprehensive training in areas such as bioinformatics, AI, machine learning, and business innovation, alongside optional cross-disciplinary modules. Students will have access to bespoke leadership programmes, industry immersion opportunities, and a supportive supervisory network.

The programme fosters innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, preparing graduates for careers in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.

Students will be expected to submit their thesis at the end of the fourth year.

Part-time study, whilst not the norm, will be considered on a case by case basis.

The Department offers a one-year full-time MPhil programme by research leading to the Master of Philosophy in Biological Science (Biochemistry). This is also available as a part-time option over two years.

The Department is also involved with the management and delivery of two pathways (Biomolecular Science and Cell Science) in the new MPhil in Biological Sciences, which includes both taught and research components.

This degree aims to give candidates a grounding in modern biochemical and molecular biological research techniques, practical experience of a year-long, full-time experimental research project, and skills in scientific communication through both oral presentations and writing.

We run a comprehensive postgraduate programme to ensure that our students are able to gain a wide range of experience. At the end of their studentship, Babraham students will have been trained in a variety of state-of-the-art techniques at the frontiers of modern molecular biology. They also receive training in a wide range of transferable skills, including intellectual property and the exploitation of knowledge for wealth creation and improvement to the quality of life. They will also know how to organise their laboratory and research programme.

Please note that part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.

The PhD in Biological Anthropology is an opportunity for original research leading to a thesis within a structured research environment that encourages both independence and collaboration. The PhD is normally obtained after three years of study (five years part-time) on an approved topic within the field of Biological Anthropology, and includes an oral examination on the thesis and the general field of knowledge in which it falls.

The thesis topic is normally proposed by the student and then decided between the student and the supervisor, and assistance is provided on elements of methodology and analysis, as well as with the written presentation. A successful thesis will show that the doctoral student can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

A PhD thesis in Biological Anthropology must represent a significant contribution to knowledge. Students may be required to complete courses in research design, statistical analysis, interpretation, communication and safety and to attend such lectures and courses as are considered appropriate by their supervisor.

The MPhil in Biological Anthropological Science is a special course offered to students who already have substantial knowledge in biological anthropology. Students will be trained in a particular specialisation through independent, supervised research. By the end of the course, students will have carried out a substantial research project. The main aims of this MPhil programme are:

to offer students with relevant preparation and experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under PhD-style supervision; and

to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

By the end of the course, students should demonstrate that they can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place their work in the wider perspective of the subject.

Students are based in a research group and undertake a research project agreed with the principal investigator (supervisor). Each student also has additional mentorship support from an advisor and a Postgraduate Thesis Panel. Although no formal, examined coursework exists, the student's progress is assessed at various stages. The most important is the First-Year Assessment, which comprises submitting a thesis report and an oral examination assessed by two examiners. Registration for a PhD is only possible following a satisfactory outcome from the First-Year Assessment. In their second year, students present their research work in poster form. In the third year, students present their work in a talk given to the whole Department.

The PhD in Biochemistry is designed to train students to be effective research scientists. In addition to developing deep knowledge of a subject area and a broader understanding of the relevant field, students will develop skills in:

• identifying experimentally answerable scientific questions and assessing the value of these questions to both science and society
• designing and executing experiments that test these scientific questions
• analysing and interpreting experimental data
• presenting the aims and outcomes of scientific research in both written and oral form
• sourcing, assessing, and critically evaluating scientific literature
• time, data, and resource management
• collaborative and interpersonal professional behaviour

The students will acquire many of these skills within the research group. Other skills will be developed outside of their research group: such as both in person and virtual training sessions in the department and from the wide range of courses available within the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences and the University. Students will also belong to a Peer Research Group, composed of other postgraduate students, within which workshops, student research projects, and scientific literature are presented and discussed.