Wellcome Sanger Institute Four-Year PhD Studentships

Registered at the University of Cambridge

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world leader in genomics research. Our Faculty apply and explore genomic technologies at scale to advance understanding of biology and improve health. Making discoveries not easily made elsewhere, our research delivers insights across three scientific objectives: Disease Genomics – deciphering the molecular underpinnings of health and disease; Planetary Genomics – understanding planetary biology through genome sequences of diverse species; and Engineering Genomics – elucidating how DNA sequences encode biological functions. We are open and collaborative; our data, results, tools, technologies and training are freely shared across the globe to advance science.

Funded by Wellcome, we have the freedom to think long-term and push the boundaries of genomics. We take on the challenges of applying our research to the real world, where we aim to bring benefit to people and society. Please visit our potential supervisors page for information on our Faculty members and their research areas, see https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/study/mphil-and-phd-student-supervisors/.

Our PhD programme equips students with a unique blend of experimental and informatics skills, maximising their competitiveness for future opportunities. The PhD programme makes full use of the outstanding research environment, infrastructure and resources available at the Institute to deliver scientific excellence, with our students regularly leading on impactful and influential research outputs.

We welcome applications from students who wish to utilise genomic technologies to advance the understanding of biology and improve health. Twelve highly competitive fully funded (covering University fees and stipend) four-year PhD studentships will be available from October 2026. We value diversity, and the studentships are open to UK and international students. Students apply to the Institute rather than to specific Faculty members, and will have the opportunity to rotate in three different Faculty groups before selecting their PhD project.

For further information and details on how to apply please see https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/study/phd-programmes/4-year-phd-programme/. Application closing date: 27 November 2025 (09:00 GMT).

Wellcome Sanger Institute Clinical PhD Fellowships

We also provide funding for two Clinical Research Training Fellowships each year as part of the PhD Programme for Health Professionals at the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia. For further information please see https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/study/phd-programmes/clinical-phd-programme/. Application closing date: 4 November 2025 (23:59 GMT).

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

For more information about our immigration service visit:https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/