Postgraduate Opportunities

Within the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (IRDB) there are opportunities for postgraduate students to perform research leading either to an MD or a PhD to study for an MSc in Reproductive & Developmental Biology.

There are currently about 20 postgraduate research students within the IRDB who are registered for a higher degree through the Imperial College Faculty of Medicine. Graduates in either Science or Medicine are trained for leading careers in research. Students initially register for an MPhil and then are upgraded to a PhD during their second year, subject to a satisfactory seminar and written report of their project. Some clinical fellows work for an MD. The majority of the students are supported by an MRC/BBSRC research studentships, clinical training fellowships or by project/programme grants. Students can apply at any time by writing to the appropriate laboratory head in Research Groups but places are normally offered in the Spring to enable them to start the following October.

For PhD studentships vacancies, please click here.

The MSc course in Human Reproductive Biology is a twelve month full-time course starting in October each year. It consists of a five month programme of lectures, seminars and practicals followed by a six month research project carried out in one of the research groups working in the IRDB.

Students can obtain detailed information at: http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/taughtcourses/reproductivebiology.html and the programme specification may be viewed at....

There is no application deadline but early application is advised since the course is popular.

Students attend an induction day during their first week at the IRDB so that they can find out about the facilities available for students at the Hammersmith Site and at Imperial College. There are also opportunities to make contact with fellow students within other Divisions and Institutes on the Hammersmith site. The Faculty of Medicine has many facilities available to all students, including a common room with a TV and a pool room and the Speakeasy bar. Students have access to all the Imperial College sporting facilities, and there is a public swimming pool and gym nearby.

The IRDB Higher Degree Committee guides each individual student's progress and welfare, and its members are always available to discuss any problems. Students also receive training in the transferable skills necessary for a career in research or other aspects of science. MD and PhD Students make annual presentations of their work to an audience of their fellow students. In addition, the IRDB arranges for all students to participate in an "effective presentation" seminar and an "effective writing" course. There is a first class seminar programme of leading national and international scientists within the IRDB and several additional Seminar Series are held elsewhere on the Hammersmith site. Many informal work-in-progress meetings and journal clubs offer further scientific interaction. The Wellcome library is well stocked with books in addition to all the important current journals, and has a large number of computer terminals that can be used to carry out electronic literature searches, for which there are regular training courses. Students can expect to attend at least one national and one international scientific meeting during their time at the IRDB.