The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology provides infrastructure and a supportive environment for more than 30 active and dynamic research groups, forming a coherent research community with established strengths in four areas of fundamental and translational scientific research. We host a vibrant teaching community, including a group of teaching-focused academics, which contributes to undergraduate and post-graduate taught degree courses, particularly within the School of Biological Sciences. We also have a large, flourishing community of doctoral students conducting research towards achieving PhD degrees. In addition to academic faculty and PhD students, we provide an innovative and supportive working environment for post-doctoral research associates and research support staff. PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time). A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 50,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.