Students pursuing a research PhD work with world-class faculty in facilities that spark creativity and discovery. In novel programs, they work alongside professionals, forging valuable alliances within their chosen field.
Northeastern’s Doctoral Programs
Our doctoral students seek solutions to 21st century problems. Candidates work alongside world-class faculty in facilities designed to inspire creativity, foster exploration, and fuel discovery. Learn more here .
Introducing the Experiential PhD
Northeastern is pioneering a new form of doctorate—one that amplifies lab and classroom learning with fellowships and internships at companies, research institutes, or nonprofits. Instead of one faculty mentor, students have a second in industry. While broadening their network, students gain access to leading innovators, publishing opportunities, and career paths.
Six interdisciplinary doctoral programs created since 2009 are preparing students to excel in these fastest-growing industries:
- Bioengineering
- Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
- Information Assurance
- Network Science
- Personal Health Informatics
- Population Health
Explore the complete list of PhD programs here .
Leaders Empowering Leaders
Our faculty members prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges by collaborating with them on groundbreaking advances. Students are mentored by innovators like these:
- Kim Lewis and Slava Epstein , professors of biology, rocked the science world when they discovered a new antibiotic that killed bacteria without encountering resistance—and a strategy for identifying additional microbe killers .
- Ryan Cordell and David Smith, professors of English and computer and information science, respectively, launched the Viral Texts Project , which is mining digitized, 19th-century U.S. newspapers and magazines in order to understand why certain stories were so often reprinted, effectively “going viral” across the country and beyond.
- Octavia Camps and Mario Sznaler , electrical and computer engineering professors in the Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) lab—a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. The pair have created video surveillance software with promise for improving airport security .
Since 2006, Northeastern has recruited more than 600 outstanding faculty members—many with joint appointments that empower them to probe the knowledge gaps between disciplines.
New Questions Need New Answers
Our doctoral candidates are accomplished scholars, striving to respond to society’s most pressing questions, issues, and needs. Many have earned prestigious awards, from Fulbright scholarships to Harvard University’s Rappaport Public Policy Fellowship.
Our students secure funding through fellowship opportunities like these:
- Distinguished Dean’s Fellowship — Northeastern awards this fellowship to exemplary students who demonstrate exceptional promise.
- GEM Fellowship — Northeastern serves as a host for GEM (Graduate Education for Minorities), a network of leading universities, companies, and government agencies. GEM’s members collaborate to provide graduate education in engineering and science to underrepresented minority students.
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship — The National Science Foundation supports students in NSF-supported STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines who are pursuing research-based graduate degrees.
- Embedded Employee Fellowship, Corporate Graduate Fellowship — Within these new, innovative, company-funded programs, doctoral students work alongside an industry mentor.
Continuing Discovery
Northeastern doctoral candidates continue to push boundaries. In 2017, 85 percent of our doctoral students were placed: 33 percent did postdoctoral research, 22 percent secured college-level teaching positions, and 39 percent embarked on careers in industry and R&D.
The PhD program in Biology provides both a broad background knowledge base and an in-depth study of a specialized area of biology. Students can choose to pursue a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology or Molecular Microbiology.
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Flashes of Insight
The PhD program in Biology emphasizes close interaction between graduate students and faculty in developing the intellectual and experimental skills required for creative independent research. To be considered for admission to the doctoral program, a student must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in a biological science. Individuals with degrees in other natural sciences may be considered, depending on their interests and background.
A minimum GPA of 3.000 for all graduate work is required for the award of the PhD degree. All regulations of the Graduate School regarding maintenance of academic standing apply.
The Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Group studies questions related to organismal development, aging, regeneration and repair. Our unifying theme is an interest in discovering how organisms build and rebuild tissues during development, after injury, and during aging. Studies in worm, fish, axolotl, mouse, and human tissue culture are providing insights into the development, function, and aging of multiple organ systems. We use genomic and proteomic analyses, and biological imaging approaches, to understand the roles and regulatory networks underlying tissue development and repair.
Biomechanics, Neurobiology, and Behavior Group pursues distinct interests, with a special emphasis on motor learning and control, biomechanics, circadian rhythms, neurogenesis and neural regeneration. Animal models run the gamut from jellyfish and termites to fish and human subjects. Research threads include the social behavior of insects, the neural architectures underlying rhythms, movement and goal-directed behaviors in humans and model organisms, and adult neurogenesis and neuronal regeneration in teleost fish.
Molecular Microbiology Group is interested in understanding the rise of multidrug resistant pathogens. Hence the focus of this group intersects strongly with that of the University in the areas of health and security. The Molecular Microbiology group investigates the bases of dormant persister cells, uncultured bacteria, composition and function of the human and environmental microbiomes, mechanisms underlying mutagenesis, regulation of the DNA damage response, and bacterial development including biofilm formation. Further strengths include the development of platforms for the discovery of new antimicrobials.
- Concentrations in Cell and Molecular Biology or Molecular Microbiology
- Bachelor’s and Advanced-degree entry are possible
- Boston residence requirement of one year of full-time graduate work on campus
Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Agios Pharmaceuticals
- Masschusetts General Hospital
Application Materials
Application.
- Application fee – US $100
- Unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended (Official transcripts required upon acceptance of admission offer)
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE General test – Not required
- Proof of English Proficiency for all applicants
Our priority deadline is December 1 with rolling admissions until March 15, based on space available.
We only admit degree program students for fall semesters.
- Program Website
Request Information for PhD in Biology
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