PhD structure

Taught component

Our programmes include short courses taught by basic and clinical stem cell scientists providing a state-of-the-art theoretical background in a variety of areas relating to regenerative medicine including developmental biology, pluripotent and tissue stem cell biology, degeneration and regeneration of adult tissues, genetic engineering and bioinformatics.

We provide specialist lectures and short practical modules covering key technologies including DNA analysis and Genetic Engineering; Imaging; Bioinformatics; Statistics and Flow Cytometry.

In the first year all students participate in a weekly CRM PhD Student Discussion Club led by one of the CRM group leaders. This aims to widen students’ knowledge of stem cell and regenerative medicine research and to enhance their ability to critically review the literature in this field.
Generic and transferable skills training is provided through the University's Institute for Academic Development (IAD): College of Science & Engineering students / College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine students.

Research projects

Many of our PhD students are involved in collaborative projects that provide cross-disciplinary experience and/or promote translation into the biotechnology or clinical fields.

Four-year programme

In the first six months, students have the opportunity to undertake two short rotation projects in basic and/or clinical science laboratories prior to choosing their 3.5 year PhD project.

Three-year programme

Candidates registering for the three-year programme enter directly into their main PhD project. This shorter training program is more suitable for candidates who wish to combine a PhD with postgraduate medical training or have already attained M.Sc. / M.Res qualifications or equivalent laboratory experience in a relevant subject area.
More details about the research groups can be found in the Research section of this site.

Presentations and monitoring

All Students are appointed a primary and secondary supervisor who has appropriate independent expertise in the project area. Students’ progress is monitored by a Committee that includes their two supervisors and two additional senior scientists, who meet to provide advice and feedback on regular written and oral presentations.
The first year of a PhD program is probationary and further progress is dependent on satisfactory progress with experimental work and written reports.
All PhD scientists and clinical research fellows at CRM present their work orally in the internal seminar series and at the annual CRM PhD Day, and are expected to attend and present data at one or more national and one major international conference during the course of their studies.

Collaborative and CASE studentships

Collaborative/CASE awards from industry will provide both exciting training possibilities, and extend important collaborative links with biotech and pharmaceutical companies.  Click here for more information.

Structured post-graduate activities

In addition to the taught components and research projects students participate in the following activities:

• Induction event on site with scientific and social activities
• Regular lab meetings of each research group
• Internal CRM seminars - CRM staff and students presenting research to the department
• External CRM seminars – visiting national and international speakers
• CRM Journal Club
• PhD Day - annual oral presentations by all CRM students attended by CRM staff and students
• Poster presentation - end of 2nd Year
• CRM 3MT - students deliver research presentation in just 3 minutes (and one slide)