Eligibility Criteria
Educational Background and Skills: Applicants will need to have an educational background suited to a genomics data science project, with a good BSc and/or MSc in molecular biological sciences, or in a strongly numerate or computational field (computer science, engineering, physics, statistics, mathematics). Students should have a strong aptitude for computer programming and data analysis.
Language Skills: Applicants will need to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English.
Nationality and Residency: While it is envisaged that the majority of students will be recruited from the EU, we will also consider applications from non-EU countries.
Application Overview & Timeline
The CRT programme has recruited 100 students in 4 cohorts, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The application portal for the 2 additional PhD positions at the University of Galway has now CLOSED.
Please note there are a number of differences with respect to students in previous cohorts
(1) while these 2 students will not be part of a larger cohort they will have ample opportunity to interact with other CRT students at the University of Galway and will have desk space allocated in the CRT PhD student office to enable interactions, network building and peer-to-peer learning.
(2) the students will start working with their supervisor on their PhD research projects immediately (i.e there is no 1st semester residential training programme)
(3) the stipend has increased to €22,000/year (tax free)
(4) the successful applicants will have from April to July to talk to approx 20 CRT supervisors at the University of Galway about potential projects. The student will then select the project/supervisor they want and register as a PhD student with the supervisor they have chosen.
The timetable for recruitment is outlined below
Stages of Application | |
|---|---|
Call opens for applications | January 2024 |
Call deadline | 23rd February 2024 |
Interviews of shortlisted candidates | March |
Successful applicants informed of outcome | March – April |
Start date for successful applicants | As soon as possible – September 2024 at the latest |
Shortlisting of Applications (Scoring)
Each submitted application will be evaluated by a recruitment panel for suitability for the programme based on the following criteria:
- Academic qualifications and performance (30)
- Work/research experience (10)
- Personal statement and motivation (40)
- Other (20); e.g. prizes, academic awards, balance of life vs quantitative science backgrounds.
Average scores are calculated and applications are ranked. Top ranked applicants are shortlisted for interview.
Interviews
The interview will be carried out in English via zoom by an Interview panel usually composed of 2-3 members. The interview is an evaluation of the candidate’s experience, knowledge, motivation, ability to discuss and debate scientific concepts and communication skills. Candidates may be asked to give a short oral presentation on their past research experience or a topic in genomics that interests them. The interview will last approximately 30 min.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the shortlisting via email as soon as possible.
Following shortlisting and interview, applicants will be informed of the overall outcome of the evaluation via email.
Application Form
Recruitment for the 2 PhD positions at the University of Galway has now CLOSED. Please note that successful applicants will have time (April- July) to interact with and discuss potential projects with approx 20 Supervisors at the University of Galway. The students will then choose their project /supervisor and register as a student at the University of Galway.
The deadline for applications was Friday 23rd February 2024.
The application form is no longer available
For any queries please contact genomicsCRT@universityofgalway.ie