Several PhD studentships are available at the Institute of Zoology each year.
Most studentships are funded by UK Research Councils but some come from other funders including overseas universities and charitable foundations.
As a Research England-funded research institution, the Institute of Zoology (IoZ) cannot award postgraduate degrees in its own right. All postgraduate students are co-registered at a University department and have a University supervisor in addition to their IoZ supervisors.
Find PhD studentships that are currently accepting applications in the 'Current and recent PhD project opportunities' drop-down menu below.
PhD projects are registered at the University that best serves the needs of the studentship. However, the Institute is formally linked with the Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, and many students will register in this department. All PhD students are entitled to take training courses and other benefits offered by the University of registration.
Studying at the Institute of Zoology
PhD students at the Institute of Zoology benefit from access to the unique environment of ZSL; an international conservation NGO that houses living collections at its two major zoos and runs on-the-ground conservation programmes with field sites in more than 60 countries, whilst engaging with policy makers and practitioners around the world. This environment allows us to translate our science into impact.
Students form a vital part of the IoZ culture, with more than 70 PhD students aligned with us at any one time, many of whom have come through our Masters programmes. We foster a supportive environment for a diverse and talented range of students to work towards addressing global conservation challenges.
Finding a PhD at the Institute of Zoology
There are two routes to obtain a PhD with us. Firstly we have advertised posts where we seek suitable candidates to apply for funded positions in a particular topic:
The ZSL Institute of Zoology is a partner organisation on a number of Doctoral Landscape Awards and Doctoral Focal Awards. The individual PhD projects listed above are drawn from these programmes. Further general information about these programmes is available on the links below:
- TREES Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)
- NERC Climate system and biodiversity science for Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities – Collaborating in Understanding and Solutions (CROCUS) Doctoral Landscape Award
- NERC AI-INTERVENE Doctoral Focal Award (DFA) - Details coming soon
- Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award
- NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Programme
We are also interested in discussing PhD opportunities with students who have their own funding arrangements.
Alternatively, there is opportunity to undertake an unadvertised PhD studentship. developed through the student’s initiative where the student is involved in developing the research project and locating funding.
In these cases, it is recommended that the studentship request is highly focussed and specific, in order to gain interest from our research staff.
As a general rule, the better-prepared candidates fare much better in gaining PhD places. With this in mind, we have prepared the following advice for potential students to improve their chances of success.
Checklist for unadvertised PhD studentships
A good undergraduate degree (upper second or first) in biology or closely related subject is essential. In addition, ideally applicants will have some research experience, either through employment, academic project work or volunteering. It can be additionally helpful, if this supports the work of the proposed PhD plans.
A PhD requires three years of dedication to a topic, so it is important that the student take on a subject in which they have a strong interest.
Given the level of competition for getting studentships and funding, you will often be expected to have experience in your area of interest and have a plan of research prior to applying for your PhD.
Funds are always limited and money is often the key factor that constrains research. If you have already obtained funding, you will attract a lot more interest from potential supervisors than if you have not.
If you haven’t obtained funding yet, it helps if you have identified sources of funding and are willing and able to take a leading role in applying for those funds. The funds also need to cover you and the costs of your research for the full three years of the studentship.
If you have a strong academic record, a good idea and the right background for your research and have identified or obtained your sources of funding, then you may well be successful.
How to apply for an unadvertised PhD at IoZ
Check our website and identify one or two members of staff who could potentially act as supervisors for your PhD. Approach those individuals directly; attaching your CV with an email stating your research interests, why you have approached them and suggesting sources for funding.
If you are approaching more than one person, let everyone know who you have approached. This will help everyone to agree on a common strategy for your studentship.