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 provides opportunities for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. Our staff have expertise and can offer supervision of projects across areas such as environmental microbiology, photosynthesis, plant productivity, ecology, and 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. A PhD and MSD are also available. Why we're great.

• We provide a supportive research and training environment. In particular, the Annual Graduate Forum provides an opportunity to showcase your findings as a poster, presentation or by organising the event at the end of your first, second and third year, respectively.
• 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 Public Health England, Cefas, Defra, the Environment Agency, 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 environmental biology research which include:

• high-throughput molecular ecology facilities
• aquaria, mesocosms and other facilities for ecology and behaviour studies
• analytical facilities for measuring trace gases, hydrocarbons and lipids
• a greenhouse with GM containment and controlled environment growth facilities
• a Plant Phenomics Facility for high throughput screening of model plant species
• extensive microbial cultivation facilities
• advanced bioimaging suite to visualise and analyse images of biological processes in real time

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 continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK and overseas. Others go on to work with industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations and environmental agencies. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.