Research areas and structure

The programme consists of a first year of mentoring, cohort building and skills training. During the first year students also complete rotation projects in between two-four different laboratories before deciding which to select for their PhD work.

Rotations provide students with experience in different areas of biology and different optical techniques, after which they select their PhD project for Years 2-4. Training continues in Years 2-4, but is tailored towards individual student needs. Training throughout the programme includes;

• Literacy, especially writing for diverse audiences
• Presentation skills 
• Personal attributes, particularly assertiveness people-related skills social networking skills dealing with difficult situations 
• Bespoke training in optical methods and cell biology
• Internships with industrial or academic partners
• Additional funding following completion of the PhD for career development

Research environment

The programme will be based at UCL, a world-leading environment where many major advances in optical techniques for biology have been developed, including ultra-fast 3D 2-photon microscopy, targeted 2-photon optogenetics, low power super- resolution imaging and whole-brain optical mapping.

Full-time

Year 1

The First Three Months

Students are introduced to the core concepts and basic practical skills required for optical biology. Optical training (lectures, workshops and practicals) includes:

• optical theory
• confocal microscopy, 2-photon and 3-photon microscopy, light sheet microscopy
• super-resolution imaging (including appropriate fluorophores and genetically encoded probes)
• TIRF
• optical tweezers
• adaptive optics
• 1-photon and 2-photon optogenetics (including optogenetic probes)
• fluorescent reporters and fluorophores (excited state spectroscopy)
• photolysis
• strategies for developing new photochemical ligands to probe biological structures
• construction of a light sheet microscope

Analysis training includes:

• MatLab and Python programming
• quantitative analysis methods
• application of advanced statistical methods including machine learning techniques

The training in optical techniques and analysis methods will be complemented by research talks showcasing applications of optical techniques to biological problems.

Rotation projects

In January of Year 1, students begin a minimum of two and a maximum of four short (6-8 week) rotation projects in laboratories of their choice. After a minimum of two rotations, students can decide on a project/laboratory for their PhD work.

Professional and Transferable Skills Training

Professional and transferable skills training is embedded in Year 1 and emphasizes effective written, oral and multimedia communication, as well as data analysis skills.

PhD host lab selection

Following laboratory rotations students will choose a host laboratory for their PhD work. Each student will be assigned a PhD committee consisting of three members of the programme, for the duration of the PhD.

Committee Meeting 1

In May – June of Year 1, each student provides a short, written PhD proposal and presents a 15-minute talk to the committee outlining their proposed project. The committee provides feedback on the plan and identifies any additional training needs.

Years 2-4 | Structured Mentorship and specialist training

During years 2-4, students meet with their committees on an annual basis. Additionally, they may approach the director, co-directors, programme tutor or student mentor at any time for confidential advice or to express concerns. Students may also undertake 3-month internships in industry or academia.

Committee Meeting 2 (second year)

MPhil to PhD upgrade meeting. In August of Year 2, students meet with their management committee to discuss progress with their project, as well as identifying further skills training.

Committee Meeting 3 (third year)

March of Year 3. Review of progress and training needs, and initial discussion of post-PhD career plans.

Committee Meeting 4 (Final year)

December of Year 4. Discussion of thesis content and plans for thesis completion in September. Detailed discussion of post-PhD career plan.

At the end of Year 4, students can participate in fully funded career transition placements in industry or academia.

Part-time

This programme is possible to study part-time with a maximum duration of 6 years.

Schedule:

Year 1

-  Required attendance at Optical Biology tutorial programme; delivered three times a week between October and the middle of December.

- First lab rotation: the rotation is usually 3 months for full-time students, but can be extended to up to 6 months for part-time students.

Year2

- second and third lab rotation

Year 3-6

- PhD research in laboratory of the student's choice, thesis preparation and submission

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.