About the CRI PhD studentship programme

Research studentships enable graduates with good honours degrees to undertake a training programme under the guidance of named supervisors. 

The student usually completes a three to four year research project which includes training in research methods, scientific communication and other personal skills, designed to lead to the submission of a doctoral thesis and the subsequent award of a PhD.

Students may apply for a maximum of three projects.

All students will be registered to the University of Cambridge for their degree, and will also be a member of a university department. As such, they will be expected to participate in departmental activities, such as seminar programmes, etc.

Successful candidates for a studentship will receive an annual stipend for the duration of their three/four year research project. Stipend amounts are reviewed periodically to take into account inflation, cost of living, etc.

For example, the stipend for the 2012 CRI graduate students is £19,000 for the first year and with annual increases thereafter.

CRI and the University combine to provide a stimulating and collegiate environment and a comprehensive programme of support for graduate students. 

For further information please refer to the University of Cambridge Graduate Studies Prospectus where you will find a wealth of information about the University, its academic departments and student life in Cambridge.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a first/upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a life sciences, from any recognised university worldwide. 

No nationality restrictions apply.

Students may apply for a maximum of three projects.

Identify the project(s) you are interested in and click the Apply for this job button on the job details page to submit your application online. 

You will need to create an applicant account (see How to use the system for details).

You will need to submit your CV, a covering letter and contact details of at least two referees (one must be your university academic tutor or lecturer).

If you are applying for more than one project (a maximum of three projects per applicant), you will need to submit the items above for each project.

Successful applicants of the CRI PhD studentship programme receive an annual stipend - the stipend for 2012 graduate students is £19,000 for the first year and with annual increases thereafter.

Graduate studentships commence in October with applications invited from recent graduates or final year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a first/upper second class honours life sciences degree or equivalent the preceding year. For example, for entry in October 2012, candidates apply in September 2011.

Application to the 2012 studentship programme has closed.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by end-February 2012 for an interview - if you have not heard from us by now, please assume your application was unsuccessful.

Available studentships are usually advertised in popular journals such as Nature and Science, in several post-graduate recruitment websites as well as the Institute's website.