St. John's University

What you'll study

The PhD in Biology is structured around mentored research, advanced coursework, and professional development. In the early years students complete core and elective modules to build depth in their chosen area, pass a qualifying examination, and then concentrate on an independent dissertation project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

• Core topics: Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology, Experimental Design and Statistics, Scientific Communication and Ethics.
• Typical electives: Genomics and Bioinformatics, Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology.
• Research training: Laboratory rotations (where offered), a mentored dissertation project, regular research group meetings and departmental seminar attendance.
• Skills development: Grant writing and proposal preparation, teaching assistantships or pedagogical training, data analysis and coding, scientific publishing and presentation skills.
• Assessment: Coursework grades, a written and/or oral qualifying examination, an approved dissertation proposal, and the final defence of the doctoral dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree in biology or a closely related discipline; a relevant master's degree with a substantial research component is typically preferred. Admission is competitive and based on academic achievement, research experience, and evidence of potential for independent research.

• Academic record: A bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related field; many successful applicants also hold a master’s degree.
• Research experience: Demonstrated laboratory or field research experience through publications, thesis work, or substantial project reports is highly desirable.
• Application materials: Academic transcripts, a statement of research interests, a curriculum vitae, and at least two academic references.
• English language: Evidence of English proficiency required for applicants whose first language is not English (accepted test scores or equivalent institutional evidence).
• Other considerations: A preliminary discussion with potential faculty supervisors is recommended; some applicants may be asked to attend an interview or submit supplementary materials such as a research proposal.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Biology pursue a wide range of careers. The programme prepares students for continued research roles as postdoctoral researchers and for faculty positions in universities. Many alumni move into research and development roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as positions in government laboratories, environmental consulting, clinical research organisations and non-profit science organisations.

• Academic researcher and university faculty
• Industry R&D scientist in biotech, pharma or agrobiology
• Research scientist in government agencies or national laboratories
• Science policy, regulatory affairs or research management
• Specialist roles in bioinformatics, data science and biosafety
• Scientific publishing, patent law (with further training), and communication

Why study at St. John's University

St. John's University offers a doctoral experience with close faculty mentorship and access to modern research facilities. Students benefit from a collegial environment with small research groups that allow for personalised training and collaboration across disciplines.

• Faculty expertise: Research-active faculty working in areas such as cell and molecular biology, microbiology, neuroscience and ecology, providing a range of doctoral supervision options.
• Research infrastructure: Access to core facilities and instrumentation relevant to modern biological research, and opportunities to collaborate with nearby hospitals, research institutes and industry partners.
• Professional development: Structured training in teaching, grant writing and communication, preparing graduates for diverse career paths beyond the laboratory.
• Support and funding: Opportunities for research assistantships, teaching assistantships and competitive internal funding to support dissertation research.