Collaborative programmes

We welcome applications from prospective PhD students. The PhD in Neurogenetics is unique. PhD students will undertake multi-disciplinary research at the leading edge of the neurogenetics movement, across the life sciences, law, ethics and the arts. The mission is to create a new generation of experts in neurogenetics, who can then continue as career scientists or go into the health sector or law, ethics and philosophy related professions or inspire cultural progress in which neurogenetics has an impact.

The aims are: (1) for PhD projects to be multidisciplinary, each involving at least two different research groups in two distinct Schools within the University of Birmingham. (2) Each PhD student will spend at least one year working with each team, thus delivering fruitful collaborations. (3) Furthermore, PhD students will carry out an engagement activity with other disciplines beyond their own, fostering creativity and broadening the impact of neurogenetics discoveries.

PhD at the University of Birmingham

For current funding visit our PhD funding pages; FindaPhD; and Postgraduate scholarship and funding database. 

To explore potential PI supervisors visit our People and Research pages.

In particular, please visit these funding opportunities available at the University of Birmingham:

1. BBSRC- Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) Doctoral Training Partnership
2. MRC Advanced Interdisciplinary Models (AIMS) Doctoral Training Partnership
3. Midlands Graduate School Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) DTP
4. CENTRE-UB (Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour; ESRC)
5. China Scholarship Council (CSC; opens yearly)

We offer the opportunity to explore joint PhD with international institutions. Here, PhD students spend some of their time at the home country and some of the time at the University of Birmingham, generally to carry out a collaborative project across the two institutions. Please contact us if interested, even if an official agreement is not currently in place.

Explore Joint PhDs with external agreements already in place with UoB at:

• Guanzhou, China
• SUStech, China
• Urbana-Champain, Illinois, US
• Melbourne, Australia
• Universitas21

The Birmingham Centre for Neurogenetics is excited to offer the only Neurogenetics MRes scheme in the UK! This Neurogenetics MRes is offered as a specialised stream within the MRes Biomedical Research programme. Neurogenetics students take 60 credits of taught components, including a biomedical research skills module, and a specialised module reflecting the Neurogenetics research undertaken within the Centre. Following the taught components, students undertake an extended 8-month Neurogenetics research project hosted between two research groups within the Centre.  

Advantages of the programme: 

• PhD style training on a shorter time-scale: develop the skills for research in industry or academia

• Multidisciplinary training: your project will span two research groups using e.g. combining model organisms and human studies 

• Collaboration and networking: working across two labs enables you to build professional networks and gain collaborative working skills needed for industry and academia.  

• Membership of the Birmingham Centre for Neurogenetics, participating in a range of activities including research seminars, public outreach events, and our annual symposium 

• A solid foundation in scientific research: combining lab project plus taught components that cover the principles of neuroscientific research, experimental design, data analysis, bioinformatics, applications for funding, and communicating scientific findings.   

Teaching and Assessment: 

• Taught components are assessed through coursework assignment (written pieces, presentations). 

• The Neurogenetics Research Project is assessed by a written thesis and an oral examination. These examinations are conducted by a team of two examiners (one of whom is external to the University), similar to a PhD examination.  

How to apply: 

Make your application through the MRes Biomedical Research web page, where you can also find full information on the Neurogenetics stream, entry requirements and the application process.  

When completing the application form please indicate ‘Neurogenetics’ when prompted for a project title. The application system will also ask you to upload a project proposal. We do not require a formal project proposal, so at this stage simply upload a document briefly outlining your research interests. You can find out more about potential project areas by browsing our list of participating research groups. Visit our Research and Genetics technologies pages for ideas. 

Students will have opportunities to meet potential supervisors and explore project ideas during the first semester of the programme. However, at this stage, we encourage you to make contact with potential supervisors to get further information on available projects.  

Informal enquiries about the MRes Neurogenetics and the application process can be addressed to Dr Daniel Fulton.  

Most labs are happy to host undergraduate students for around the word for summer placements. Please contact Principal Investigators you would like to work with in the People page. For funding there are various scholarships available.

• Research stays: We welcome visitors for short stays at any stage at post-graduate, post-doc or PI level, with and across our teams. For funding, explore options such as: The Royal Society, EMBO Short Term Fellowship, etc, as well as from your country.
• Networking: we are keen to hear of people around the world interested in networking with us. Have a look here. There are funding opportunities for establishing networks. Please contact us.

• Post-docs: We welcome applications for Post-docs to join the associated teams, and also to carry out collaborative post-doc projects across teams. Please have a look at our projects here and also our research here.
  • Research grants: if you are interested in collaborative research proposals, please have a look at our PIs and projects here
  • Other collaborative opportunities: If you are not currently working in neurogenetics, but are interested in exploring – from neuroscience to the arts - please see our staff list.
  • Other opportunities: We welcome applications from PIs for University positions at all stages. We are currently seeking applications from outstanding candidates for the Birmingham Anniversary Fellowships and Chairs. Submit an application and get in touch with the Birmingham Centre for Neurogenetics Committee if interested in applying.