Research projects are initiated in the first year. There is an initial emphasis on learning techniques and LifeSci Graduate Training Programme methods courses, where students learn fundamental techniques, run concurrently with research projects. Most labs start new students on short-term projects designed to get them up and running and to determine areas of interest to develop in the longer term. We encourage collaborative projects between labs. This enables students to experience a wide range of techniques and the development of projects that best suit each student's talents and interests.
Throughout, as part of their intellectual development, students are expected to take part in lab meetings and journal clubs and to attend a weekly departmental seminar series on genome integrity. They are also encouraged to attend the broader LifeSci seminars that cover a wide variety of biological subjects. All students are encouraged to attend and present their work at national and international scientific meetings.
The GDSC has a collegial approach to PhD supervision. Students are supervised in the lab by postdoctoral researchers and progress is closely monitored by lab heads. In addition, each student has an independent co-supervisor or mentor. Progress is monitored by informal meetings, annual reports, poster (year 1) and oral presentations (year 2).
Career development is an important part of the programme. The development of research and transferable skills is supported by the Sussex Postgraduate Skills Programme, which runs a large number of short skills courses, including interview skills; time management; oral presentations and thesis writing. All postgraduate research students complete a skills assessment and choose a personalised programme of courses. Careers guidance is available through the University of Sussex student services and the mentoring scheme. The GDSC also runs a seminar series aimed at showcasing the variety of postdoctoral career options.