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 in photosynthesis, plant productivity, plant ecophysiology and cell signalling and can offer supervision of projects in these areas. We use a variety of approaches to identify key genes and processes that determine productivity in plants in constantly changing environmental conditions. As a research student at Essex, you will work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged, well-resourced 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. A PhD and MPhil are also available. Both full- and part-time study can be supported, and you can start this course in either January, April or October. Why we're great.

• You will work within our Plant Productivity Group which has an international reputation for outstanding research.
• Our Group has an extensive network of national and international collaborations through projects funded by the BBSRC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EU, Leverhulme Trust, Innovate UK and industry.
• We have strong links with industry working on a number of collaborative projects with companies such as Bayer and Syngenta.

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 of Life Sciences is fully equipped to perform cutting edge plant physiology and phenotyping research using a combination of conventional and custom designed apparatus including:

• facilities for chlorophyll fluorescence and thermal imaging of whole plants and cells
• a plant phenotyping platform that houses a novel dynamic lighting system
• equipment for infra-red gas exchange analysis including whole plant chambers for Arabidopsis
• computer-controlled glasshouse and controlled environment facilities

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 or governmental and non-governmental organisations. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.