Two PhD positions on the chemical origins of life at Cambridge University
Two ERC-funded PhD positions to uncover the chemical origins of life at The Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe.
The Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe and the University of Cambridge are committed to widening participation in postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge.
Research within the Centre aims to develop a deeper understanding of life, its emergence, and its distribution in the Universe by addressing four questions:
- What are the chemical pathways which led to the origins of life that are compatible with benign conditions for life in different planetary environments?
- How do we characterise the environments on Earth and other planets that could act as the cradle of prebiotic chemistry and life?
- What observational facilities and methods will allow investigation of bodies beyond the Solar System, the remote sensing of their atmospheres and the search for signatures of geological and biological evolution?
- How can philosophical and mathematical concepts refine our understanding of what we mean by life, leading to new interdisciplinary collaborations and modes of scientific enquiry?
We have a fully funded PhD studentships available for home (UK) students starting October 2025. This studentship will cover fees and stipend for home students at the UKRI + LCLU uplift of £1,000 per year for 4 years and research cost support will be provided.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an LCLU PhD Studentship the applicants have to meet the eligibility criteria, which include being a home-fee student and socio-economic criteria.
We particularly welcome applications from:
- are Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME)
- are in the first generation of their family to go to university
- who have been in care or who have been a young carer
- are from a low-income background
How to apply
To apply for a LCLU PhD Studentship, please apply through the University of Cambridge postgraduate admissions portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/. The materials required for your application will depend on the department of the primary PhD supervisor with details available here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/how-do-i-apply. Please ensure that your primary PhD supervisor emails us at: admin@lclu.cam.ac.uk to register your interest in this studentship.
The deadlines for applications vary with the department, so please check what the relevant deadline is with the relevant PhD Supervisor. All applications will have to be in by 7thJanuary 2025.
Research Proposals
The list of projects is not exhaustive, and applicants are encouraged to approach any of our supervisors with their own project ideas.
Supervisor: Claudia Bonfio, Department of Biochemistry
Supervisor: Claudia Bonfio, Department of Biochemistry
More info at https://www.lclu.cam.ac.uk/studentship-opportunities/lclu-phd-studentships
