Unit Studentships
Special MRC Studentships in Computational Biology and Medicine
These studentships are now closed to applications.
Who we are
The MRC Human Genetics Unit is one of the largest MRC research establishments supporting approximately 250 scientists, support staff, fellows, PhD students and visiting scientists of whom approximately 130 are funded by the MRC. There are about 30 postgraduate students. In 2007 the HGU joined in partnership with the Molecular Medicine Centre and Cancer Research Centre (all co-located at the Western General Site in Edinburgh) to form the Institute of Genetic and Molecular Medicine (IGMM). The IGMM partnership constitutes one of the largest aggregates of human molecular genetics research capacity in the UK, and brings together over 500 research and support scientists (further 25 students) in a single, scientific endeavour. The principal aim of the Institute is to develop fully integrated, multidisciplinary research programmes across the whole spectrum of basic, clinical and translational research. These studentships offer training in this multidisciplinary environment, which spans basic and translational research, from molecular and cell biology through to disease and population studies. Edinburgh has often been voted as the city offering the highest quality of life in the UK, and is renowned for its affordability and rich cultural life.
Apply now
We are seeking applications from numerate graduates who have or expect a degree at honours level 2.1 or higher, who want a career in computational biology or medicine, and who have the ambition to succeed at the highest levels in research. Applications should include a letter explaining why you are interested in this particular postgraduate programme, a full up-to-date CV (including a vacation address), and names and addresses of two academic referees. We ask potential applicants to note that there are eligibility criteria for these studentships relating to nationality, period and purpose of residency in the UK.
General Enquiries
T: +44 (0)131 332 2471
F: +44 (0)131 467 8456
Academic Enquiries
These studentships are now closed to applications.
What we offer
These prestigious studentships support each student and their project for 4 years and include a £2K supplement over the usual stipend award and generous funding for research expenses and travel.
Applications are encouraged from those combining a biological background with experience in computational analysis or from those with a mathematical/computer science background and a keen interest in biology. We are particularly interested in recruiting outstanding graduates from disciplines such as mathematics, statistics, physics, and informatics to a world leading biomedical research institution to work on exciting problems in computational and systems biology. The general theme of the research will be analyses of complex genetic systems in the context of the basic and translational biomedical research programmes of the IGMM.
Successful candidates will receive substantial training in their first year in the biomedical subjects of their choice and on required computational and modelling techniques. Students will be registered for their degree with the UoE and will have access to a number of specialist and advanced courses as well as UoE and MRC transferable skills programmes. These studentships are funded at a high level with high quality training, and carry a matching high expectation of output from the successful candidates.
Research projects
Possible projects can be seen below and span diverse areas of computational biology including systems biology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics and molecular evolution, reflecting the interests of the supervisors. However, there will be opportunities for enthusiastic students to develop their own project ideas in conjunction with prospective supervisors. Projects will usually involve joint supervision and progress will be assessed at regular intervals.
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