For students interested in frontier research at the interface of biology, computer science, physics and mathematics.
PhD admissions are OPEN for 2024. Last date EXTENDED: 15 May 2024
The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) is a leading research institute in the areas of theoretical physics, mathematics, theoretical computer science and computational biology. In 2013 IMSc started a unique Ph.D. programme in computational biology, training students to apply cutting-edge computational and mathematical techniques to problems in modern biology. Members of the computational biology group have collaboration with leading biology departments and institutions in India and abroad.
IMSc is an autonomous national research institute under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, and a constituent institution of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, a deemed university. Ph.D. degrees will be awarded by HBNI.
Structure of the Ph.D. programme
Before embarking on their research, students have three semesters of coursework, which consists of seven core courses which are taught in IMSc; elective courses, which may be taken at IMSc or at other institutions by mutual consent; and experimental lab rotations, at collaborating labs in other institutions. The core coursework covers essentials of modern biology, essential techniques from physics, mathematics, statistics and computer science, physics of proteins and biomolecules, biological sequence analysis and algorithms, and systems biology. Elective coursework covers various topics in greater depth. Following the coursework and a comprehensive examination, students will embark on research leading to a Ph.D. degree.
Selected candidates will be research fellows at IMSc and will receive fellowships, housing or house rent allowance, and contingency grants.
Research Areas
Current research interests of faculty in the computational biology group include:
- Biomolecular modelling
- Biophysics and mechanobiology
- Computational neuroscience
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
- Infectious disease modelling
- Pattern formation and dynamics
- Regulatory genomics
- Systems and network biology
We expect to expand into more areas in coming years. See here for more details.
Eligibility
The minimum eligibility criteria for this Ph.D. programme includes:
(a) Masters or 4-year Bachelors (B.E. or B.Tech. or equivalent) degree in any branch of science, mathematics or engineering, and
(b) Test score valid as of June 2024 in any national research entrance exam including CSIR-UGC JRF, GATE, JGEEBILS, DBT JRF, BINC, NBHM and JEST
Important dates
- Last date for applications is EXTENDED up to 15 May 2024
- Interviews will be held in online in May/June 2024.
- Offer: June 2024.
- We are also considering having a second round of applications/interviews later in the year, for students who were unable to apply in this round due to pandemic related disruption.
How to Apply
- Please fill out this form to apply.
- You will need to upload your CV, your university marksheets, and your qualifying exam scorecard/certificate, as well as any other relevant documents, as a SINGLE PDF file.
- For any queries, send email to compbio.applications [at] imsc [dot] res [dot] in
- Do not send applications by email. Use the form to apply. Ensure that all supporting documents are included in your PDF file.
- Name your PDF file as YourFirstName_YourLastName.pdf before uploading it.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
