Optical Biology

How do I apply?

Applications are open until Monday 20th January 2025 and interviews will be held in February 2025

IMPORTANT: Applications for the 2025 intake of the Optical Biology PhD Programme are for a 3 Year PhD Stipend. This 3 Year PhD Programme lacks the first rotation year described elsewhere on this website. In all other aspects it remains the same.

Funding is available for a three-year PhD. Bespoke training opportunities are available throughout the PhD and include the opportunity to learn essential skills or to gain access to specialist pieces of equipment via 3-month internships with a wide range of industrial or academic partners 

Successful candidates for the optical Biology PhD programme receive a starting stipend of £26,572, increasing to £27,808 in year three. Additional funds for career transition placements are available at the end of the PhD to facilitate progression along a student’s chosen career path.

Application at a glance

Applications to the programme must be made using the Optical Biology MS Forms application form. We cannot accept applications made any other way. The applicant chooses one project to apply for from a list of 9 (see projects listed here). The application form includes questions relating to training and experience, a statement of motivation for applying to the programme, and a diversity monitoring form. The statement of motivation must not include the applicant’s name or any demographic information (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity). There is no need to send a separate CV.

How do I prepare my application?

We strongly advise that you prepare you answers in advance before completing the online application form. You can do this by downloading this file to your computer which contains all the questions that are on the application form. You can then work on these in your own time and copy and paste them into the online form when you are ready to submit. Once you have submitted your form you will not be able to edit it.

Please answer all questions on the application form as accurately as possible. Your personal statement should describe why you want to do a PhD in Optical Biology and what makes you a great candidate for the programme (4000 characters max). You might also use this section to discuss how the programme will contribute to developing your intended career; describe training courses you would be interested in completing; and suggest potential supervisors for the rotation projects during Year 1.

Please note:

• we strongly advise applications are submitted at least one week before the deadline

• ask your referees to e-mail their references to opticalbiologyPhD@ucl.ac.uk and ensure that they have done so by the deadline

• ensure that your surname is the first word in the subject line of the email references sent by your referees

• late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered by the selection panel