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Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
PhD
Program Overview
Our interdisciplinary program, which spans biology, biochemistry and biomedicine, gives you opportunities to pursue basic or translational research in areas from cancer, infectious disease and neuroscience to immunology, cell signaling and developmental biology. You'll use a wide array of techniques to explore a spectrum of important biological questions through innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Program Snapshot
Why This Program & What You'll Learn
Our doctoral program will fuel your passion for research. Work with experienced, and dedicated faculty advisors to explore a spectrum of important biological questions. Our researchers pursue basic and translational research on topics including:
- Cancer.
- Infectious diseases.
- Neuroscience.
- Stress and aging.
- Developmental biology.
- Cytoskeleton and membrane trafficking.
- Cell signaling.
- Optogenetics.
You’ll be supported by a collaborative research environment including open-concept research labs, core facilities and specialty labs, such as our microscopy facility, and flow cytometry, insectary, and radioisotope labs.
Your program will be individually tailored to emphasize professional skills and career development. You will work closely and regularly with your advisor and a committee of faculty to identify a personalized program of elective courses and create and cultivate an individual development plan.
Program Highlights
As a graduate student at CMU in the BCMB Ph.D. program, you’ll:
- Be supported by dedicated faculty mentors who have demonstrated excellence in research and teaching and are committed to student success.
- Learn from faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields; many have published in top-tier journals and garnered extramural funding for their work.
- Be part of a small and select program, ensuring that you receive significant interactions with faculty mentors.
Careers & Outcomes
Students graduating with a Ph.D. typically go into careers in academia, industry or other fields that draw on the knowledge and skills acquired during their graduate work.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Science Liaison | $105,588 |
| Computational Chemist | $91,254 |
| Computational Biologist | $78,315 |
| Research Scientist | $74,342 |
