Research in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure provides opportunities for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. We offer supervision in all areas of staff expertise in cell and molecular biology including cancer and stem cell biology, immunology, medical microbiology, biochemistry, structural biology, chromatin structure and epigenetics and cell signalling.

As a research student at Essex, you’ll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners, and research users, where possible for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses.

Assessment

The aim of undertaking your PhD within our School of Life Sciences is to train you to become independent researchers who can critically assess research work, and who have a comprehensive understanding of at least one area of biology.

Our PhD programme is usually three to four years duration, and all our students are initially registered as MPhil students, then transfer to the PhD in the first half of their second year of study if they have made satisfactory progress.

Your future

Our graduates go on to a range of careers. Many choose to continue their scientific research taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK or overseas. Others go on to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries or governmental and non-governmental organisations. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.