Programme Overview

The LMB is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and it continues to be a prolific source of new ideas, discoveries and inventions. As a leading international research centre, the LMB attracts some of the world’s best scientists. To date, the LMB’s scientists have earned twelve Nobel Prizes, as well as numerous other prestigious scientific awards.

Over 700 scientists and support staff work for the LMB, with over 450 directly carrying out research – including around 100 PhD students.

Most groups in the Laboratory are small, with group leaders managing only four to eight people, including one or two research students. As a result, students have access to an abundance of skilled help and advice.

Equipment and facilities

The LMB encourages the free interchange of ideas and resources. Since there are no physical or financial barriers between groups, and all equipment and facilities are communal and shared, students are encouraged to seek expert advice and help wherever and whenever they need it.

The LMB offers its researchers access to some of the finest scientific facilities and equipment available in any laboratory, anywhere in the world. Find out more about our:

• Huge range of specialist scientific facilities
• Superb workshops
• Wide range of support services

Training in transferable skills

As a graduate student at the LMB you will be able to access general and specialist courses on diverse topics such as IT, presentation skills, writing and management, careers in science or how to obtain fellowships. We also encourage our graduate students to present their work on numerous occasions and to run their own international symposium each year. This provides valuable experience in how to organise scientific meetings – from managing budgets and arranging catering to scheduling and marketing the event.

Graduate students at the LMB can also attend a wide range of training courses provided by the University Graduate School of Life Sciences and take advantage of other university facilities such as the University Careers Service, which offers courses on writing CVs, interview skills and assistance with career choices.

Talks and symposia

In addition to the range of work and expertise at the LMB, graduate students have the opportunity to hear a range of leading scientists speak, as part of LMB talks and symposia, and to interact with them individually. Attending talks with leading scientists from the UK and abroad is one of many things we encourage our students to do, to help them to grow, scientifically and intellectually, whilst away from the bench.

Graduate Student Association

The LMB also has its own Graduate Student Association (GSA), run by and for students. The GSA helps to create an atmosphere of fellowship and collaboration among students, whilst increasing awareness of students’ needs and giving them a unified voice in discussions with senior members of the LMB.