The Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science training programme (ILESLA)
PhD
Key facts
Start dates
September 2025 / October 2025
Application deadline
12 noon, 29 January 2025
Location
Course length
Full time: 4 years
Department
More details
Eligibility: Home UK/EU and International Applicants
Bursary p.a: The stipend is at the UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for the academic year 2024/25).
The studentship covers bench fees, stipend, and tuition fees. Visa and associated costs are not funded.
Overview
The 4 year MPhil/PhD provides the opportunity to undertake research across the full breadth of biological and environmental science. This tailored programme includes taught courses in interdisciplinary skills. Two exploratory research projects are taken in Year 1, with prospective supervisors, before choosing the 3 year research project. A 12 week professional internship provides work experience.
We offer a place on the BBSRC/NERC funded ILESLA training programme in the areas of plant cell biology, mammalian cell biology, molecular biology, parasitology, developmental biology, informatics, conservation, ecology and bioimaging. The successful candidate will enjoy access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including newly refurbished laboratories and bioimaging suite.
A student admitted through Oxford Brookes University must undertake one rotation project at Brookes and another at any of the partner organisations. The PhD project must include a supervisor from Oxford Brookes University.
Additional details
- University of Oxford, coordinators of the DTP
- Oxford Brookes University, a partner in developing regional excellence in bioscience research
- Pirbright Institute, which provides the UK’s national capabilities for the study and control of viral disease of livestock
- Diamond Light Source, which provides the UK’s national capabilities for synchrotron science
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, which provides national capabilities for neutron science
- Open University - The programme is supported by the BBSRC and NERC through a Landscape Award with additional support from within the Partnership.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree 2:1 or higher (or overseas equivalent) in a Life Sciences degree, which includes the study of Molecular Biology.
English language requirements
International applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent – please contact us to check equivalency) with an overall minimum score of 7.5 and no score below 7.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.
Application process
When you are ready to apply, please read all the instructions carefully before starting your application. Please provide all documentation to hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk, which can also be contacted with any questions concerning your application.
Applicants should indicate the theme to which they are applying, on their application.
Queries about the programme can be directed to Dr Andrew Jones and also Dr Verena Kriechbaumer
Further information on the programme can be found on the ILESLA website.
Interviews are expected to take place in early March 2025.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on: