PhD / MPhil Biological Sciences (Biochemistry)

Our research of fundamental biochemistry puts the cell's chemistry into the context of the whole organism in normal and diseases states. By understanding the causes of a disease, we can control symptoms or eradicate it.

The key principle behind our research is the recognition that to elucidate cell, organ or organismal function in health and disease requires an integrated approach utilising the best available cutting-edge technologies.

Research programmes are generously funded through grants from the BBSRC, MRC, Wellcome Trust, British Heart Foundation, North West Cancer Research, European Commission and other organisations. Our investigators are involved in translational research for applications in drug discovery and tissue engineering.

We offer intense PhD training programmes with exposure to a wide range of technologies. Much research is multidisciplinary with strong collaborative links within the Institute and also to physical, chemical and clinical sciences across the Liverpool campus. We use technologies such as electrophysiology, biosensors, proteomics, transcriptomics, NMR, X-Ray crystallography, enzyme assays, confocal microscopy, nanoparticles, protein structure modelling and molecular biology.

Recent research highlights from students and staff over the last two years include publications in Science, Molecular Cell, Developmental Cell, Nature Protocols, EMBO Journal, Oncogene, Journal of Cell Biology and Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Many of our students are recognised for the role they play in communicating their science to the wider community. On completing their PhDs our students have taken competitive post-doctoral positions in the UK and abroad, or elect career paths in the NHS, government or the commercial sector.

As an Institute devoted to Integrative Biology, we span the range of biosciences from the fine-scale resolution of biomolecular structure through the genome-wide analysis of cells and organisms, to the evolution and ecology of organisms in their natural environment.

Underpinning this diversity, we offer world class facilities and infrastructure for research, and superb links to internationally excellent partners in both the academic and industrial sectors.

Our research seeks to answer fundamental questions, and to address key issues of contemporary concern. We were awarded a prize in the UK-wide BBSRC 2011 ‘Excellence with Impact’ competition, which commended the work of our graduate students in impact activities.

Our PhD completion rates are ranked amongst the highest in the UK by the Times Higher Education Supplement, one of only two Universities to have repeatedly ranked in the top four institutions. Furthermore, our complementary training programme was awarded the highest grade in the QAA review of all HEI PGR training. In addition, the Institute is one of only 10 organisations in UK universities in 2017 to hold a gold AthenaSWAN award for gender equality in science education and research.

Our PhD programme is financed by substantial training grants from the main UK Government Research Councils, including the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council and The Medical Research Council, as well as charitable trusts, such as North West Cancer Research, Wellcome Trust, the European Commission, overseas governments and industrial collaborators.