Program Overview

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Research in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure. Our academic staff have expertise in biophysics, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, molecular medicine, environmental microbiology, photosynthesis, plant productivity, ecology, marine and environmental science. As a research student at Essex, you’ll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners and research users, where possible for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses. Part-time research study is also available. You can start this degree in October, January or April. An MPhil and MSD are also available. Why we're great.

• We have an international reputation for outstanding teaching and research, with the latter reflected in the large number of publications in high-profile journals.
• You will be part of our collaborative Research Groups that work on important international and national problems using cutting-edge techniques, and who have strong links with a range of organisations such as the NHS, Public Health England, the Environment Agency, Cefas, Defra, oil companies and Anglian Water.
• The quality of our work is reflected in the large number of publications in high-profile academic journals our staff feature in.

Our expert staff

Within our School of Life Sciences, you will be allocated a supervisor whose role it is to guide you through the different stages of your research degree. In some cases, you may be jointly supervised. The support provided by your supervisor is a key feature of your research student experience and you will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on your research. Initially, your supervisor will help you develop your research topic and plan. Twice a year, you will have a supervisory board meeting, which provides a more formal opportunity to discuss your progress and agree your plans for the next six months. Your technical and intellectual development will be enhanced by becoming part of a Research Group, and participating in School Seminars.

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Specialist facilities

Our School provides a comprehensive range of facilities for modern, multi-disciplinary, biological research which include:

• a next-generation genome sequencing facility
• a high-performance computing cluster with 368 CPUs, 5.4 Tb of RAM and 700 Tb of storage for analyses of large biological data sets
• an advanced bioimaging suite to visualise and process images of biological processes in real time
• an X-ray Crystallography and Macromolecular Interactions facility for the biophysical characterisation of proteins and other macromolecules
• aquaria, mesocosms and other facilities for ecology and behaviour studies
• advanced bioimaging suite to visualise and analyse images of biological processes in real time
• a range of facilities for cell and microbial culture, and a greenhouse and plant / algal growth rooms
• fully automated laboratories with robotic liquid handling systems and equipment for cell culture, molecular biology and gene editing

A dedicated study room allows all our postgraduate research students to have access to a desk and a computer outside of the research laboratories. This provides a focal point for our postgraduates, facilitating reading and writing as well as good communication and a sense of community.

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Your future

Many of our postgraduates choose to continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions at Universities and research institutes in the UK and overseas. Some go on to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, while others go on to work with governmental and non-governmental organisations and environmental agencies. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.