Colleagues networking during the last student symposium

Postgraduate studies

Study for a PhD at the Earlham Institute and open up a world of opportunities for you to develop, learn, and face new challenges.

Current vacancies John Innes Foundation Rotation PhD

Why study at Earlham Institute?

The Earlham Institute harnesses data-driven biology to accelerate solutions in food security, biodiversity, and human health. Our mission is to unravel the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

Our world-class technology, expertise, and interdisciplinary approach across genomics, engineering biology, and data science is driving scientific innovation, training, and impact. 

From developing predictive models to unravelling the complexities of microbial worlds, our research covers the breadth of the life sciences. Our students are part of a collaborative and supportive research faculty, guided by supervisors with international reputations in their fields. 

You’ll work with experienced scientists and have access to state-of-the-art facilities delivering the latest in advanced sequencing and bioinformatics, single-cell genomics, and lab automation.

Hear from our PhD students

PhD Blogs
Current PhD Vacancies

Life at the Earlham Institute

Living in Norfolk

Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility

Norwich Research Park

We are proud to be part of the Norwich Research Park, one of five Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Research and Innovation Campuses, hosting three BBSRC-funded institutes, and exemplifying a successful model of clustered science, innovation, and teaching across agritech, genomics, microbiology, plant science and human health.  

Our staff and students work losely with researchers across the Park and collaborate with other Institutes to bring together the right expertise to tackle the scientific challenges we face. 

This community is made up of over 2,000 scientists and 13,000 students, 3,300 of which are studying at postgraduate level.

As well as the close links to organisations based on the Norwich Research Park, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich culture, history, and activities on offer in both Norwich and the wider region.

Student Life.

The Earlham Institute has an active and engaged Student Body, who foster a friendly and encouraging network in which to study, including organising regular catch-ups, social events and talks.

The Student Body represents and supports the PhD Student community at the Earlham Institute, meeting regularly with the NBI Graduate School and the Institute’s Post-Graduate Research Director, Dr Conrad Nieduszynski, for formal and informal conversations regarding student well-being and any possible concerns.
We also invite other teams and representatives from across the Earlham Institute to student meetings, to discuss and share information and opportunities available to students.

Norwich is a vibrant and close-knit city and sits in the heart of picturesque Norfolk. There is always plenty to do, and see. Whether organised through our Student Body or with friends in the city centre. 
 

PhD life in Norwich
Dr Anita Scoones supporting delegates during our Advanced Single-Cell RNAseq computational workshop
Phd student Santa Walker
Jonathan taking part in a hackathon

Our Doctoral Training Programmes

NRPDTP Logo

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) is funded by UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to develop bioscience graduates into talented and highly-skilled researchers, innovators, and future leaders through working in multidisciplinary research environments.

Aries Doctoral Training logo

The ARIES DTP programme  is funded by UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to advance the training of postgraduate research students in environmental sciences, genomics, and ecology.

Microbes, Microbiomes, Bioinformatics DTP logo

The Microbes, Microbiomes, and Bioinformatics (MMB DTP) is funded by UKRI Medical Research Council to advance the training of postgraduate research students in microbiology, with an emphasis on microbial bioinformatics.

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