Course summary

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is one of the leading research institutions in the UK. The Institute’s mission is to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease in order to advance human health, and the working environment emphasises collaboration between basic and clinician scientists, meaning the students can learn from multiple different approaches to biomedical problems. There are 24 research groups working across three research themes (protein folding and quality control, membrane trafficking and organelle biology) and three disease areas where these fundamental processes are disturbed (rare genetic disease, neurological disease, and intracellular infection). Students at CIMR benefit from a wealth of seminars, core topic sessions and workshops held in CIMR by outstanding world-leading researchers, providing a broad scientific education. Our students receive expert training in state-of-the-art technologies through our core research facilities, and also have diverse opportunities to communicate their research findings and develop collaborative networks at, for example, the annual CIMR Research Retreat. There are also opportunities for training and involvement in public engagement with research, which is a particular area of focus. CIMR welcomes applications from postgraduates to undertake research towards an MPhil in any of the labs based in CIMR. We admit those applicants who meet the academic admissions criteria and whose research interests match those of an available member of the academic staff who is willing to act as the student's supervisor. We believe that research is most effective when it reflects the widest possible diversity of ideas and inspiration, so we welcome applications from individuals from groups that are traditionally under-represented in scientific research. Applicants are required to contact potential supervisors directly in the first instance, to discuss their application and funding possibilities. The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and

• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.