Through the Department of Biology WildCRU has supervised over 150 PhD candidates since the research group was founded in 1986. Known within the Oxford system as ‘DPhils’, students joining WildCRU for graduate studies can develop research projects based on fieldwork, laboratory experiments or analysis of existing data sets, but in all cases their research must be original and rigorous.
APPLICATIONS
Prospective students can pursue a PhD with WildCRU at the University of Oxford through the following two courses:
DPhil in Biology
This is the Department of Biology’s doctoral research training programme. We offer opportunities for candidates to join our group under the guidance of a WildCRU supervisor. Candidates will be expected to develop an original research project on a topic that fits within WildCRU’s research themes. Opportunities are always invited to align DPhil research with WildCRU’s long-running research programmes.
ILESLA DPhil
The Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA) will train a new generation of creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial researchers who are equipped to meet complex, cross-disciplinary challenges. The ILESLA is the successor to the BBSRC Interdisciplinary Bioscience and the NERC Environmental Research DTPs and builds on their success.
Useful tips and information for applicants
- Applications to study within WildCRU must be made with a named WildCRU supervisor to the Biology Department.
- Prospective students should contact eligible supervisors before submitting a formal application and ideally develop their proposal under a potential supervisors guidance.
- Admission to the course may not include funding. Offers can be made with or without an associated scholarship. Applicants should be aware of the potential financial responsibilities: Fees and Funding Information.
- Application stages:
- Initial meeting with prospective supervisor
- Development of research proposal with prospective supervisors support
- Formal application to the programme
- Departmental interview (if selected)
- Offer of a place (if accepted)
- Funding consideration
- Funding interview (if applicable)
- Funding offer (if awarded)
- WildCRU supervisors can be named on application, but formal supervision agreements are determined and confirmed during the first year of the ILESLA course.
- Prospective students should contact potential supervisors before submitting a formal application to ensure intention to supervise, however this is not guaranteed.
- Admission to the course may not include funding. Offers can be made with or without an associated scholarship. Applicants should be aware of the potential financial responsibilities: Fees and Funding Information.
- The programme will accept approximately 60 students across a wide range of disciplines, with only a small proportion of these places likely to be allocated to applicants within WildCRU’s research areas.
Supervisors at WildCRU
WildCRU members listed here are eligible as formal primary supervisors and co-supervisors, but not all will have the capacity to take on new students. Please see members profiles for their current availability.