Rotation PhD Programme

Objectives

The Rotation PhD Programme is designed to enable high calibre students to develop a broad-based training in research. A distinctive feature is that you will have the freedom to select your own research topics and supervisors. Up to five studentships will be available in 2010 and applications are open to students from any country. The studentships will benefit from a significantly enhanced stipend to reflect the prominence and prestige associated with the Rotation PhD programme.

Outline

During the rotation year, you will broaden your experience of research training by working in three different laboratories in at least two different departments. A supplementary objective is that you should become broadly familiar with all the exciting inter-disciplinary science going on at JIC/TSL. This covers the following general themes in plant and microbial sciences:

The expected outcomes from the Rotation PhD Programme will be:- (1) a well-rounded multidisciplinary training in research methodologies; (2) the timely completion of an excellent thesis; (3) publications in high-ranking refereed journals; (4) a firm foundation for a distinguished scientific career.

Orientation

Year 1 begins with a 3-week period of intensive training and orientation. This is designed to introduce all the research programmes currently being pursued at JIC/TSL. You will attend Departmental presentations; the JIC/TSL Annual Science Meeting; a Rotation Students’ Retreat (for all year groups); and a range of one-one contacts with supervisors whose research particularly interests you. You will be guided by a supervisor-mentor and a student-mentor who will help you to select your three rotation projects.

Rotations

You will then undertake three 10-week research projects in order to gain your own perspective on the wide range of research opportunities available. The cohort of rotation students learn from each other through a fortnightly journal club, presenting key papers from researchers at JIC/TSL. After each rotation period, students write a brief report and give a short oral presentation to the other rotation students.

Selection of thesis topic

By June of Year 1, you should have selected the supervisor with whom to embark on a three-year research project. You will then use the fourth rotation period (June – September) to conduct exploratory experiments and to draft an appropriate 3-year research proposal (approximately 3000 words in length). The emphasis should be on clearly framing the questions to be addressed in the thesis work so as to create a scientifically interesting but technically feasible research project.

Recent Rotation Programme Alumni

See the examples of the achievements of recent alumni.

Further details

See the 4 Year Rotation PhD in Plant Science & Microbiology Project Summary

Postgraduate Research:

Taught Programmes:

Other Opportunities: