Biochemistry

This programme aims to train students in cutting-edge laboratory research applying techniques in bionanotechnology, biophysics, computational biology, microscopy, molecular biology, structural biology and systems biology to a broad range of fields including cell biology, chromosome biology, drug discovery, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, membrane proteins, ion channels and transporters, and RNA biology.

91% of the department’s alumni who completed in the years 2008 to 2015 have pursued a career within academic or industrial research. Other graduates hold positions within a variety of different sectors including Patent Law, scientific publishing and teaching.

The Department of Biochemistry has an active alumni network, with regular events held in Oxford and London, where past and current members of the department have the opportunity to meet and share ideas.

Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Medical Sciences Graduate School website to help them identify the most suitable course and supervisors.

You will be admitted directly to a particular research area led by departmental members who will be appointed DPhil supervisors. If you are admitted to a particular research supervisor you will not normally do laboratory rotations. You will be based in a research lab and undertake research on a subject agreed with your supervisor.

There are no taught courses examined by written papers, however you will have access to a wide range of lecture courses at taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate. If you have changed fields, this will allow you to fill in gaps in your background knowledge. There is also a wide range of courses and workshops which you can attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the prosecution and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist.

You will begin your course as a probationary research student (PRS) and near the end of the first year you will write a report to transfer to DPhil (PhD) status. To transfer your status you must make a formal application which will include a research report and statement of future research plans. You will also take an independent assessment by two assessors. Continuation in the programme is subject to passing the Transfer of Status exam.

After eight terms of study you will need to apply formally to confirm your DPhil status. You will be required to present your on-going work in a formal context where it will be reviewed by two independent assessors. Continuation in the programme is subject to successfully completing the Confirmation of Status.

The length of the programme ranges from three to four years with the exact duration depending on the following factors as judged by your supervisor(s) and assessors:

• focus and rate of your research development and progress
• achievement of acceptable focus and scope of thesis
• publication quality research
• length of available funding

A small proportion of DPhil students (about 5%) submit their theses within 3 years from starting, however on average most students submit within 3.5 years. By the end of the fourth year, 70-90% of students have submitted their theses.

Research areas for the DPhil in Biochemistry currently include:

• molecular biochemistry and chemical biology
• structural biology of cell surface and nuclear signal transduction processes, cell adhesion, cell cycle, membrane proteins, receptors and ion channels, drug design, protein folding and dynamics
• modelling and simulation of biological membrane systems
• bionanotechnology and its application to cancer
• targeting viral morphogenesis in antiviral strategies
• integrative systems biology (dynamics of molecular regulatory networks, multidimensional optical proteomics)
• bacterial and parasite respiratory proteins
• bacterial cell biology, protein transport
• control of eukaryotic gene expression
• kinase signalling to gene induction
• mRNA localisation in Drosophila
• epigenetic control of chromatin and gene expression
• developmental epigenetics
• DNA recombination and repair
• bacterial chromosome dynamics
• sister chromatid cohesion
• genetic modelling of human disease
• genetics of nematode immunity and development
• cell biology of innate immunity in Drosophila
• genetic defects of mitochondrial energy metabolism
• cell proliferation and cell fate determination during C. elegans development

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biophysics, physics, mathematics or computation.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7, a first-class degree or the equivalent. 

A previous master's degree is not required in order to be considered for the programme.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement: Up to 1,000 words
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Standard level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships