Evolutionary Biology

Overview

Key facts

• In the biomedical sciences, comparisons of model organisms to humans, emergence of antibiotic resistance, or the identification of pathogen strains from molecular information all concern evolutionary processes. 
• Therefore, evolution is of central importance for most areas of the life sciences.
• Research in evolutionary biology covers a wide range of questions about evolutionary patterns and processes in microbes, plants and animals. 
• Particular strengths are evolutionary genetics and genomics, phyologenetics, behavioural ecology and evolutionary developmental biology.
• The breadth of research topics is reflected in a diversity of state of the art techniques used, such as genome sequencing, epigenomics and CRISPR-Cas9, but also field, bioinformatics and transcriptomics research.

About our PhD and MPhil degrees:

• PhD/MPhil Evolutionary Biology programmes at The University of Manchester are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).
• Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

Training and development:

• All of our postgraduate research students attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Centre for Academic and Researcher Development (CARD).
• The programme provides key transferable skills in areas such as commercial awareness, academic writing and public engagement. 
• This training equips our postgraduates with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy.
• The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.