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Life at Earlham Institute
We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we want you to have the freedom to achieve your very best work here.
Four-year multidisciplinary PhD opportunities in genetics, genomics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, crop science, biological chemistry, applied mathematics, computational and systems biology.
The programme involves the John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory, three internationally recognised centres of excellence in plant, microbial and data sciences, based in Norwich, UK.
The programme is designed to attract outstanding applicants with excellent academic records who show potential for research at the highest level.
A key feature of the programme is empowerment to choose three research topics and supervisors for research rotations in the first year, from which you build your own area of research.
During your first year, you will undertake three 10-week research projects with different supervisors located in any of the three research institutes.
You will learn from your fellow rotation students in this multidisciplinary programme through regular journal clubs and research presentations at the end of each rotation.
The programme is internationally recognised for its academic excellence and ground-breaking research. Students are encouraged towards independent, critical and creative scientific thought from day one.
You will be mentored by the programme tutor, a senior academic, and a rotation student from the previous year-group and will become familiar with a wide range of scientific approaches, including:
- Genetics
- Genomics
- Cell biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Molecular biology
- Crop science
- Developmental biology
- Structural biology
- Biological chemistry
- Applied mathematics
- Computational biology and systems biology
The objective of the first eight months is for you to gain a broad baseline of technical and theoretical training prior to the selection of your main research project and supervisor, who will work with you towards the submission of an outstanding PhD thesis within a total of four years.
You will be registered for your degree at the University of East Anglia.
Further information about how the rotation PhD works can be found on the John Innes Centre website.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday 13th November 2025. Interviews for short-listed candidates will be held on Monday 19th and Thursday 22nd January 2026.
The Rotation PhD Programme is supported by the John Innes Foundation, together with the participating institutes.
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
