PhD Opportunities
We participate in multiple PhD programmes at the University of Cambridge. Our PhD students lead exciting lines of interdisciplinary research, often working with our global network of collaborators.
Mentorship and career development
During your PhD, you will have weekly meetings with the PI that provide the opportunity to set goals and discuss any questions you might have. You will also be invited to a career development meeting with the PI twice per year which provide the opportunity to step back and think about the "big picture" of your career: where you are, where you would like to go, and how we can help you get there. Many of our PhD students choose to do an internship in the technology or pharmaceutical industries during their time with us, and we are very happy to help you seek out and find these opportunities. We also provide additional training and support in research leadership, CV/application writing, and scientific communication.
Meet some of our current and former PhD students
What our PhD students have built
ORILINX
ORILINX is our large language model that can predict the genomic location of origins of replication from genomic sequence. We can use this model at scale to to learn about how different mammals replicate their genomes.
Mathematical models of replication in malaria parasites
To better understand how malaria parasites replicate their genomes, as well as how genome replication can be used as a therapeutic target, we have built high-resolution mathematical models that simulate genome replication in single cells.
Algorithms to detect replication fork stalling
When DNA replication forks stall, it can be a threat to genome integrity. However, it can also be an important therapeutic target. We have developed algorithms that combine AI and long-read DNA sequencing to determine the location and frequency of these stalls in the genome.
The first map of fork movement across ecDNA
We worked with Julian Sale's lab at the MRC LMB to show how replication forks move across extrachromosomal DNA. These circular chromosome fragments often harbour oncogenes that give cancer cells a selective advantage, and DNAscent showed that they are vulnerable to agents that disrupt DNA replication.
Your academic background
We welcome PhD applicants with backgrounds across the biological, physical, computational, and mathematical sciences. For students from the biological sciences, we would expect applicants to have at least some programming experience in any language. Prior experience in any of the following topics will help you get up to speed a bit more quickly, but they are not a requirement and we certainly don't expect knowledge of all of them: AI, software engineering, mathematical modelling, high-performance computing, bioinformatics, and data analysis.
How and when to apply
PhD applications happen early in the academic year; most deadlines are in November or December. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to get in touch in the summer or early autumn.
Students interested in the Cancer Research UK MRes+PhD or the BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership can apply directly through the university website (links are included below). Interviews and selection for these programmes are managed centrally by the university. However, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to Email Michael Boemo to arrange an informal chat about research projects. In this Email, please include a recent CV, a brief description of your academic background, and a brief description of your motivation for joining the lab.
Students interested in the PhD in Pathology should Email Michael Boemo well ahead of the funding deadline that takes place in early January. Those applying from the US who would like to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship should be mindful of the deadline in early October. Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch via Email to arrange a meeting about possible projects before submitting an application via the university portal. Those who apply via the university website without discussing a possible project with us beforehand are unlikely to be successful.
PhD programmes we participate in