At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage in transformative research across biology, chemistry, and AI with real-world impact.
- Company: The Franklin, a leading UK institute for life sciences technology development.
- Benefits: Fully funded PhD, tax-free stipend, advanced training, and access to cutting-edge facilities.
- Other info: Unique research environment with individual mentoring and support.
- Why this job: Shape the future of science while collaborating with top universities and global companies.
- Qualifications: Strong background in relevant disciplines and passion for interdisciplinary research.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
The Franklin is the national institute for technology development for the life sciences in the UK – funded by the government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The principal goal is to bring about transformative changes in technologies which will allow us to see the biological world in new ways: from single molecules to entire organoids. The insights generated will speed up drug design and development and push forward our understanding of human health and disease.
As a Franklin PhD student you will:
- Work on highly interdisciplinary projects with real‑world impact
- Be guided by world‑leading supervisors
- Access state‑of‑the‑art facilities and industrial collaborations
- Connect with top universities across the UK
We currently have 1 position available for a home candidate. We are inviting applications for our final available PhD position for a project aligned with one of the four challenge areas below. We welcome applications from students who are excited to work across disciplines and contribute to cutting‑edge research at the interface of biology, chemistry, imaging, computation, and AI.
Criteria – Chemistry, biochemistry or related disciplines
A strong background in chemistry, biochemistry or related disciplines with passion to design and apply molecular tools to probe biological function. Successful candidates will combine excellent experimental laboratory skills with an interest in working alongside advanced computational and analytical technologies. Experience in interdisciplinary research and collaborative science is highly desirable.
Criteria – Physics, mathematics, engineering or related quantitative disciplines
A strong background in physics, mathematics, engineering or related quantitative disciplines with an interest in developing next‑generation transmission electron microscopy methods for biological research. Successful candidates will have an interest in high‑resolution imaging, phase retrieval, image reconstruction, inverse problems, and scalable computational approaches for analysing large microscopy datasets. Experience in electron microscopy, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration is highly desirable.
Criteria – Biology, imaging, computer science or related disciplines for women’s health
A strong background in biology, imaging, computer science or related disciplines with a passion for developing and applying advanced imaging and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in biology and women’s health. Successful candidates may have experience in electron or X‑ray microscopy, image analysis, AI and machine learning, quantitative data science or computational modelling. They will be able to work across experimental and computational teams to extract biological insight from multimodal imaging datasets.
Criteria – Biology or a quantitative discipline for AI‑driven computational tools
A strong background in biology or a quantitative discipline, such as physics, engineering or applied mathematics, with expertise in programming and an interest in developing AI‑driven computational tools for biological data analysis. Successful candidates will have experience in AI and machine learning, image analysis, Linux‑based high‑performance computing and scalable data pipeline development. They will be motivated to build reproducible, open‑source computational tools and collaborate across experimental and computational research teams to transform complex biological datasets into meaningful insights.
You are not required to submit a research proposal but will need to detail why you would like a studentship in the chosen area.
What the Franklin PhD Programme Offers
- A unique research‑focused environment, plus collaborations with leading universities and global companies
- Access to brand‑new labs and industrial partnerships
- Advanced interdisciplinary skills training
- A wide choice of projects tailored to your interests
- A generous, tax‑free stipend and additional benefits
- Individual mentoring and support
- Free membership in Oxford college student societies (note: no Oxford registration or accommodation included)
This is a fully funded four‑year programme designed to equip you with the skills, networks and experience to shape the future of science.
Application Deadlines
Applications are considered in two separate groupings. You can apply to any deadline given below, but you should try to apply to the earliest deadline available as the positions can become filled early. You will usually receive a decision in about 4–6 weeks after the deadline to which you have applied. Application deadlines are in January and March with interviews a few weeks after. Please check for exact dates. Interviews for international candidates will only be considered for the March deadline.
Key dates:
Final Deadline for applications: 14 August 2026. We look forward to hearing about your skills, experiences and motivation to join us.
Phd Programme Studentship employer: Rosalind Franklin Institute
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among researchers in life sciences and engineering. Located at the picturesque Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, employees benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to professional development, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, the Franklin provides a supportive environment where all voices are valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in scientific research.
Contact Details:
Rosalind Franklin Institute Recruitment Team
