Funding
The MMB DTP programme expects to offer up to seven studentships to successful candidates who meet the eligibility criteria (including English language requirements) for entry in October 2024. Studentships include support for:
- A generous maintenance stipend, provided over four years, and funded according to the MRC stipend scale
- Full tuition fees which will be paid directly to the University
- Research and training costs for each year of the studentship
Studentship funding will not normally cover costs associated with visa or health surcharges, or additional costs associated with entry to, and living in the UK.
Studentships for iCASE projects also include additional contributions to candidates’ stipends and research and training costs.
All MMB DTP projects are advertised on a full-time basis. Applicants who are unable to study full-time may still apply, but any offer to study part-time will be conditional pending receipt of permission from the MRC. International applicants (as defined by UKRI) are eligible to apply for MMB projects for 2024 entry. UKRI will normally limit the proportion of international students appointed each year through individual doctoral training programmes to 30% of the total intake.
How to Apply
This PhD programme is open to candidates with an undergraduate degree relevant to the scope of the programme, whether in biological sciences or bioinformatics/computing.
We are committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of this programme. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation and transgender status. We value an aptitude for computer-based analysis, curiosity and independence of thought, plus a commitment to work across the boundaries between the laboratory and bioinformatics to deliver high-impact research. We welcome applicants from low- and middle-income countries.
Applicants should fulfil the University’s entry requirements for PhD registration and should have, or expect to obtain, a minimum of a UK Upper SecondClass Honours Degree or equivalent. Applicants with a Lower Second-Class Honours degree will be considered if they also have a master’s degree or have significant research or non-academic experience relevant to the proposed field of research. Studentships awarded based on predicted grades will be conditional upon final results. Before admission, candidates must also meet the University’s minimum English language requirements for Science and Medicine and Health Sciences research degree programmes.
Applications are welcomed for entry in October 2024
The deadline for applications is 11.59 p.m. (UK time) on Monday 15th April 2024.
Details of the DTP projects available to apply to can be accessed below. Applications should be made via the University’s online application form for postgraduate research degrees, where you will also be able to access guidance on how to apply for a postgraduate research degree. Please read the instructions and guidance carefully.
When you are ready to proceed, select ‘Start your application’ under Apply for a Postgraduate Research Degree. Once you have created an account, you will be able to complete the online application form.
Note that in order to apply for an MMB DTP project, you must select “A specific postgraduate research project which has been advertised (NRPDTP, Aries etc.)”.
Choose the relevant start date for the advertised project under ‘Term‘ e.g., October 2024.
Then select ‘Start Application‘.
Once you have provided some initial information about yourself, you will be asked to choose the project you wish to apply to.
You must submit the following documentation in support of your application:
- Formal transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas for ALL your completed higher education qualifications (Bachelors and Masters degrees). Where these qualifications have been completed outside of the UK, please provide documents in the original language if applicable and an official English translation.
- An up-to-date provisional transcript/mark statement (or letter of enrolment for Masters By Research) if your degree is incomplete and ongoing.
- A Personal Statement of around 500 words outlining how your experience relates to undertaking research study with us.
- A Research Statement of up to 1500 words which explains why you are applying for the project and outlines your relevant current knowledge and skills indicating how these will help you complete the research and your training needs. Please note that the Research Statement must have been produced by you.
- Please note that the personal statement and research statement should be two separate documents.
- A CV / résumé
- The contact details of at least two referees who have agreed to provide references in support of your application, at least one of which must be an academic reference. You should approach your referees first and note that references will not be accepted from supervisors or secondary supervisors of the project(s) for which you are applying.
To apply for more than one project, you will need to submit a new application for each project.
Please do not submit multiple applications to the same project – if you wish to change any aspect of your original application, or if you have made an error, contact us at mmb.dtp@uea.ac.uk and we will be happy to assist you.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates for this second round of MMB DTP studentships can expect to be interviewed on Wednesday 15 May 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of their interview via email by Wednesday 8 May 2024.
Candidates who have not heard by this date should assume their application has been unsuccessful. Due to the volume of applications received, it may not be possible to provide feedback on applications not shortlisted for interview.
Candidates will be assessed on academic ability but also achievement and potential, relevant research experience, initiative and innovation, motivation and commitment to the research project, and recognition of development opportunities of the MMB DTP.
Candidates can expect to be notified of the outcome of their interview within 10 working days of the interview.