The Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership

Institutions

In addition to their choice of PhD project at Oxford Brookes University, the student will be able to undertake their exploratory research projects at any of the seven world-class research institutions that make up the DTP:

• University of Oxford, coordinators of the DTP
• Oxford Brookes University, a partner with the University of Oxford in developing regional excellence in bioscience research
• Pirbright Institute, the UK’s national centre of research into viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans
• Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility
• ISIS, which provides national capabilities for neutron science
• STFC Central Laser Facility, which provides state-of-the-art laser technology for experiments in physics, chemistry and biology
• The Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), is a multidisciplinary laboratory specialising in research using Diamond, ISIS and the Central Laser Facility at Harwell
• The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national institute dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology development.

The programme is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) with additional support from within the Partnership.

Please see below for potential supervisors and instructions on how to apply.

Key facts

Deadline for receipt of applications: 12 noon on 6 June 2022

Interview date: 13 or 14 June 2022.

Eligibility criteria: The studentship covers bench fees, stipend, and tuition fees

Start date: September/October 2022

Bursary is approximately £16,062 for academic year 2022/23

Applicants require a good Honours degree level equivalent to a UK degree BSc (minimum 2.1 or higher).

Any queries please contact:
Dr Andrew Jones: ajones@brookes.ac.uk
For administrative queries: hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, please read all the instructions carefully before starting your application. Please provide all documentation to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk, which can also be contacted with any questions concerning your application.

Oxford Brookes University as a member of the Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership is following the Pilot assessment procedure: MPLS doctoral training courses | University of Oxford. Please follow the application instructions carefully.

Application Documentation Required

1. Oxford Brookes Studentship Application Form
2. CV
   You will need to upload a standardised CV using the online form that requests certain information that you will likely have included on a CV.
   Please note, that although the link states that it is for University of Oxford applications, this standardised CV is also being used by Oxford Brookes University. Once you have completed the form, you will have 15 minutes to download your CV as a PDF document. We request that you anonymise your CV in relation to your name and gender pronouns. This PDF document is in the same format for all applicants and you should not modify the document from that standard format, or submit your CV in a different format.
3. Anonymised standard statement of purpose (maximum of 1000 words)
   This should describe in English how your background and research interests relate to the programme, following the template below. The statement should focus primarily on academic, research or employment-related achievements and interests rather than personal achievements and interests. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
   • Briefly explain your motivation for undertaking doctoral study, including at least one specific example of how you have prepared yourself for doctoral study that illustrates your commitment and motivation
   • Summarise your previous achievements and experience, including information on any research you have conducted, relevant employment or work experience (if any), and any activities or experience that illustrate your communication skills, team skills or personal strengths.
   • Please explain your motivation for applying to undertake the DTP and why you are a suitable candidate for the projects of interest.

   Your statement of purpose will be assessed for:

   • your reasons for applying
   • evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
   • the ability to present a reasoned case in English
   • preliminary knowledge of research techniques
   • understanding of problems in the area and ability to construct and defend an argument.

   It will be normal for your ideas and goals to change in some ways as you participate in the programme.

4. Letters of reference
   Candidates should ask three referees to send their anonymised references to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk on or before the application deadline.
5. Transcripts
   Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
6. English Language Certificate
   If appropriate
7. Contextual Statement
   Applicants may submit a contextual statement where relevant. This section of the application is optional and should be limited to no more than 4,000 characters long.You may wish to provide this, particularly if any of these apply. You:
   • are in the first generation of your family to go to university
   • have been in care for at least three months
   • have been a young carer
   • are from a low-income background
   • you have received a means-tested scholarship
   • you have needed to work to support yourself during your academic studies because of your socioeconomic circumstances
   • are a refugee
   • are neurodivergent
   • have or have had one or more disabilities or chronic illnesses that have affected you in education or at work
   • wish to disclose other circumstances that have substantially affected you in education or at work.

We recognise that socio-economic data may not fully capture an individual student’s personal circumstances, so if any of the criteria listed above apply, we encourage you to submit a statement providing additional detail on your personal circumstances. This will not be made available to assessors during the initial phase of academic shortlisting, but may be used in association with socio-economic data to contextualise short-listing and decision-making processes.