Deadline for applications: January 6, 2023

The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute is a world-leading centre for stem cell research with a mission to transform human health through a deep understanding of stem cell biology. Our scientists study stem cell behaviour, both normal and pathological, and use their findings to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The Institute consists currently of approximately 28 outstanding research groups, working across three key research themes: Stem Cell States, Stem Cells in Disease and Stem Cells & Therapeutics.

Specialist postgraduate training in Stem Cell Biology and Medicine is essential to produce a stream of highly skilled and innovative investigators equipped with a deep understanding of stem cell science and its significance for future medicine.

Our overarching goal is to produce well-trained and rounded PhD postgraduates who have generated significant and original research findings and are fully prepared for an ambitious and challenging career, whether continuing in stem cell science or moving to another profession.

The Institute offers this PhD programme of research under an individual supervision of a principal investigator. During their PhD, the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and a Postgraduate Education Committee and Postgraduate Student Committee. Students write a thesis, which is examined via an oral examination.

The PhD introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of their PhD, students should:

• have a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques applicable to their own research;
• be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• have developed the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems;
• be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research; and 
• have gained oral presentation and scientific writing skills.

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Continuing

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy their potential supervisor, Head of Department and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.

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Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

Teaching

There are four main components of the first year:

1. Core Course

The purpose of the critical discussion course in year one is to provide students with a critical understanding of the major topics in Stem Cell Biology. Each module will focus on a particular topic, presented by Group Leaders within the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.

2. Lab rotations

Each student will rotate in the laboratories of three different contributing supervisors. They will be expected to select their rotations so that they gain experience of at least two different stem cell systems. Each rotation will last for nine weeks, plus three weeks at the end of each, for data analysis and write-up of a project report. 

3. Skills courses

Throughout the year there will be a variety of different skills-based courses designed to give training in a variety of technical approaches or to develop specific skills, including workshops on some of the core institute facilities.

4. Research Project Proposal

Students are expected to choose a laboratory for their thesis research towards the end of year one. They will then write a research proposal to form part of the assessment (viva) for a Master of Research in Biological Science (Stem Cell Biology). Students will normally then commence a PhD.

One to one supervision	Students can expect to have regular lab meetings with each rotation supervisor and with other lab members, and termly meetings with the Programme Directors. The regularity with which postgraduate students meet with their Supervisor varies throughout the year but meetings are likely to be more frequent to start with, during the planning stages, and during the writing-up phase. All students should have the opportunity to seek formal feedback from their Supervisor, and Supervisors should have the opportunity to give such feedback.The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.
Seminars & classes	Approximately four hours per week, including weekly student-only sessions and institute-wide seminars.All students on this programme will be members of the University’s Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) who offer a wide variety of core skills and professional development training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information. Students are also encouraged to attend the various research seminars, talks and workshops held in the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, on the Biomedical Research Campus and elsewhere within the University.
Small group teaching	Regular lab meetings within the research group.
Journal clubs	One hour per week
Literature Reviews	Part of the core course in year one includes reading of nominated research papers, in preparation for the weekly discussion course sessions.
Posters and Presentations	The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute holds an annual PhD Symposium, at which all Institute-wide PhD students are invited to take part in a poster presentation session, and final-year PhD students are expected to give a verbal presentation of their work.Additionally, an annual one-day PhD retreat is held for students on the (MRes + PhD) Programme, in which each student is expected to present their current work and progress to their peers and to the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Postgraduate Education Committee.Students also have the opportunity to present posters in other annual departmental and institute-wide events, throughout the year.

Feedback

In year one, students receive formal feedback via written rotation reports, at the annual (MRes + PhD) Programme retreat and from an external assessor via an MRes Viva at the end of year one.

Students will also present and discuss their work in at least one lab meeting per rotation. Additional verbal feedback will be provided frequently by the rotation project supervisor as part of the day-to-day supervision and in regular lab meetings.

For the PhD, students receive feedback regarding their progress in the form of online termly reports (Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System (PFRS)) from their supervisor.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

A thesis is not required for the year-one MRes course.

However, if the student progresses to a full PhD they will be required to submit a PhD thesis of not more than 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission) excluding bibliography, figures, appendices etc. 

All students have to defend their thesis by attending a viva voce examination conducted by two examiners. Although the thesis must be the work of the student, the supervisor is allowed to give suggestions, critical advice and feedback on content and any draft version(s) of the thesis. 

Essays

Students shall submit a portfolio of research reports (of no more than 18,000 words in total, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography and appendices). This will take the form of three rotation reports of no more than 6000 words each, one submitted each term.

A PhD proposal shall be submitted in the third term of no more than 6000 words (including figure legends, but excluding tables, footnotes, bibliography and appendices).

Practical assessment

Progress will be reviewed annually at the (MRes + PhD) Programme Presentation Day, where each student is expected to present their current research in front of their peers and the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Postgraduate Education Committee.

Other

At the end of their second year (the first year of the PhD programme), all PhD students are required to undergo formal assessment by written report and viva (“The First Year Assessment”). If successful, the student moves from being “probationary” to being registered for the PhD and can proceed with their thesis project.

Expected Academic Standard

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.

If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

In addition to receiving at least a good II.i honours degree, applicants should hold (or expect to be awarded) a degree in a relevant subject area and have a passion for scientific research.

University Minimum Academic Requirements

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Language Requirement

IELTS (Academic)

Element	Score
Listening	7.0
Writing	7.0
Reading	6.5
Speaking	7.0
Total	7.0

TOEFL Internet Score

Element	Score
Listening	25
Writing	25
Reading	25
Speaking	25
Total	100

CAE

Score: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a language centre assessment.

CPE

Score: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element).

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Visa Information

If you are made an offer, an ATAS will be required in order to obtain a Visa.

Do not apply for an ATAS unless you have been made an offer.

A CAH3 code, which will be used to make your ATAS application, will be provided in your offer letter.

What Is An ATAS?

Funding Opportunities

This programme is fully-funded for four years by Wellcome at the ‘Home’ Fee rate.

International students must tick the box in the online postgraduate application form (by the relevant deadline), to be considered for a Cambridge Trust Scholarship to cover the difference between the ‘Home’ and ‘Overseas’ Fee rate.

General Funding Opportunities

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Fees and Maintenance

My fee status is:

Home Overseas Refugee

I shall have the following financial dependants:

Spouse/partnerChildren:

0 1 2 3 4+

Your Estimated Annual Commitment:

• First Year
• Subsequent Years

Component	Cost
University Composition Fee	£9,387
Maintenance	£17,668
Total Annual Commitment	£27,055

Please note that fees shown for the ‘subsequent years’ are based on the current 2023 rates. These will increase in your 2nd year when the PhD portion of this course begins, and are likely to be 5% higher than the previous year.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Selection Process

All applications are considered as part of a gathered field after the closing date. Interview invites will go out approximately two weeks following the application deadline and interviews are usually held at the end of January/early February.

Interviews are preferred to be held in person, although it may be possible to arrange a remote interview in exceptional circumstances.

If you have not heard back about your application by the advertised interview date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted.

Further information on How To Apply

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Things You’ll Need

In order to apply for this course you’ll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.

• Two academic references 
• Transcript 
• CV/resume
• Evidence of competence in English 
  If required – you can check using our tool
• Wellcome Trust – Statement of interest

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:

• Gates Cambridge Reference 
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.

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How to Find a Supervisor

Applicants for this Programme are not expected to contact potential supervisors in advance of making an application.

Supervisors for the three first-year rotation projects will be selected once candidates have started the programme. A list of potential supervisors, eligible to supervise students on this programme, can be found at this link. 

Source / More information: Official Website HERE.