Institute of Cell Biology - Postgraduate OpportunitiesLatest Institute News
General InformationThe Institute of Cell Biology (ICB) is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence. Together with the rest of the School of Biological Sciences this Institute was rated 5A in the 2003 RAE. Postgraduate opportunities in the Institute cover the broad, interdisciplinary range of research carried out in the Institute (see ICB Research Themes [link to Research Themes part of the ICB web pages]). The Institute provides a lively intellectual and social environment with strong connections to other Institutes within the School of Biological Sciences and associated research centres. At any one time there are around 50 PhD students and up to 10 MSc students, with about 30% from overseas. Three higher degrees are available by research: PhD (3-4 years), MPhil (2 years) and MSc (1 year). The Institute also participates in the Welcome Trust 4 year PhD Programme and the MSc by research in the Life Sciences postgraduate scheme, run across Colleges by the Life Science Graduate Programme. The Institute receives up to 7 PhD studentships from the UK research councils to support postgraduate study in the research areas listed above. In addition there maybe funding for specific projects, which will be advertised on these web pages and by specific supervisors. Unfortunately, EU residents who are not UK nationals are only eligible for the University fees element of these studentships and receive no subsistence support. Exceptional applicants can, however, be considered for about two University-funded studentships per year, which are not restricted to UK nationals. EU and overseas students wishing to conduct postgraduate research at the Institute of Cell Biology are therefore encouraged to seek scholarship funding sources in their own country. Further information regarding postgraduate study at the University of Edinburgh, including fee status of British, EU and foreign students, research costs and other financial matters can be found in the University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Prospectus PhD students are assigned a supervisor and a thesis committee but are encouraged to develop independent lines of enquiry. This provides the combination of support and independence required for postgraduate study. Our PhD graduates are trained to carry out independent research with rigour and efficiency; to assess other research work critically; and to develop an in-depth knowledge of at least one area of contemporary cell and/or molecular biology. They will also acquire general, transferable skills in preparation, primarily, for a career in modern science. The learning process is through a hands-on, laboratory-based project carried out alongside others engaged in similar activities. Guided reading, one-to-one supervision, group seminars, and occasional short workshops, are all used. Progress is monitored by the supervisor and more formally by a thesis committee throughout the programme. Many of our graduates move on to post-doctoral fellowships at home or abroad. Others find employment in industrial research laboratories, research institutes or in other training programmes like medicine or teaching. For those who want to run their own research groups, the usual path is to carry out post-doctoral research for several years before joining a university or research institute. Industrial employment may begin immediately after a PhD or at some later point and the career path within a company is likely to include significant management training.
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