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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has two broad areas of research activity. The first covers the use of large population databases to identify key predictive features associated with human pregnancy. Research is also focused on perinatal control of maternal and fetal smooth muscle contractility, clinical research interest in predicting pregnancy complications such as intra-uterine growth restriction, preterm labour and perinatal death.

The second major area focuses on the cellular and molecular aspects of the growth of the placenta and its interaction with the endometrium. This includes detailed investigation of the immune dialogue occurring between the fetal and maternal compartments. Genetic and epigenetic modulation of placental function is also a key area within this field. Modern genomic methods are utilised in both human and genetically manipulated animal models.

An additional aspect of this work focuses on the development of blood vessels in all tissues but focusing on those in the endometrium and placenta, in healthy tissue and in ectopic endometrium and cancer. This interdisciplinary work involves complex teams of molecular and cellular biologists, anatomists, mathematicians, bioinformaticians, statisticians and clinician-scientists.

Learning Outcomes

During the course of this study, programme students will be expected to:

read and assimilate relevant background information
formulate a clear and well defined hypothesis
design an experimental strategy to address the hypothesis
acquire the necessary skills to carry out laboratory work
interpret experimental data appropriately and draw sound conclusions
write a suitably detailed and formatted thesis


One to one supervision	All students are assigned a Principal Supervisor and an Adviser, and day-to-day supervision will take place in the laboratory alongside regular progress meetings. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.
Seminars & classes	Students will attend research group meetings where research results are presented and discussed. They will also be expected to attend journal clubs and research seminars within the University.
Lectures	Students will attend University lectures relevant to their area of research.
Journal clubs	Students will be expected to attend journal club meetings organised by the Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR).
Posters	There are conferences in the UK and overseas throughout the year. If a student has developed his/her research to a sufficient level to coincide with a relevant conference, then there could be the opportunity to present a poster. The student will be expected to deliver a ten minute presentation of their research to the departmental or research group prior to submitting a dissertation.

Feedback

The supervisor will provide feedback to the student at their regular meetings. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made as well as specific comments on their research project, following which a termly report will be submitted to the University. These reports are made online and can be accessed by the student.

Assessment

Thesis

Examination is by thesis (maximum 60,000 words) and viva, examined by an Internal and External Examiner.

Other

All PhD students are required to undergo formal assessment (by written report and viva) at the end of their first year. If successful, the student moves from being 'probationary' to being registered for the PhD and can proceed with their project.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Online button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application, and request references.

An application is only complete when:

you have submitted your application via the Applicant Portal and paid the £50 application fee
you have uploaded the required supporting documents via the Applicant Self-Service
your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Applicants are required to contact their Prospective Principal Supervisor(s) before submitting their application, in order to ascertain whether they have a project to offer and are able to take a student in the current year, and to discuss whether the student's research plans align with the supervisor's interests.

Applications are considered as they are received.

Note: Offers made to places on this course are conditional on clearing any security checks the University deems necessary. Security checks are routinely required for all individuals involved in research activities that include working with sensitive information; working with children and vulnerable adults; working with live animals or with tissues supplied from live animals or working in an environment in which such work is pursued by others; working with dangerous pathogens or in a category 3 containment laboratory; or working with some other sensitive technologies. Where necessary the University will ensure that applicants are not disproportionately impacted by the requirement for any security checks by allowing new students to take up places and start appropriate areas of their work prior to a check in other areas being completed.

Selection Process

Applicants should contact prospective supervisors in the Department with an outline of their proposed research.

Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
IELTS (Academic) 7.0
TOEFL Internet Score 100
£50 application fee
First Academic Reference
Second Academic Reference
Transcript
CV/Resumé
Personal Reference