
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a UK-based technology institute for life science that creates innovative technologies to transform our understanding of life. Funded by UK Research Innovation through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, it operates as a charity and a joint venture of ten leading UK universities, Diamond Light Source, and UKRI-STFC. The Institute develops advanced technology platforms in physical sciences applied to life sciences, enabling new therapeutics and deeper understanding of human biology. Key achievements include partnerships with Thermo Fisher Scientific to advance electron tomography, innovations in engineering biology, and industrial collaborations on nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2. Located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with academia and industry to tackle major life science challenges through technology innovation in imaging, AI, chemistry, and biology. The Institute also supports training and development through PhD programs and work experience, emphasizing a collaborative culture and open science.

The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a UK-based technology institute for life science that creates innovative technologies to transform our understanding of life. Funded by UK Research Innovation through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, it operates as a charity and a joint venture of ten leading UK universities, Diamond Light Source, and UKRI-STFC. The Institute develops advanced technology platforms in physical sciences applied to life sciences, enabling new therapeutics and deeper understanding of human biology. Key achievements include partnerships with Thermo Fisher Scientific to advance electron tomography, innovations in engineering biology, and industrial collaborations on nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2. Located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with academia and industry to tackle major life science challenges through technology innovation in imaging, AI, chemistry, and biology. The Institute also supports training and development through PhD programs and work experience, emphasizing a collaborative culture and open science.
The Rosalind Franklin Institute (The Franklin) is the national institute for technology development for the life sciences in the UK – funded by the government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The principal goal is to bring about transformative changes in technologies which will allow us to see the biological world in new ways: from single molecules to entire systems. The insights generated will speed up drug design and development and push forward our understanding of human health and disease.
As a Franklin PhD student you will:
Work on highly interdisciplinary projects with real-world impact
Be guided by world-leading supervisors
Access state-of-the-art facilities and industrial collaborations
Connect with top universities across the UK
We welcome curious, open-minded students from any background in science, mathematics, engineering or computing to join us in developing cutting-edge instruments and technologies.
What the Franklin PhD Programme Offers
A unique research-focused environment, plus collaborations with leading universities and global companies
Access to brand-new labs and industrial partnerships
Advanced interdisciplinary skills training
A wide choice of projects tailored to your interests
A generous, tax-free stipend and additional benefits
Individual mentoring and support
Free membership in Oxford college student societies (note: no Oxford registration or accommodation included)
This is a fully funded four-year programme designed to equip you with the skills, networks and experience to shape the future of science.
For questions check our FAQ or contact us at training@rfi.ac.uk. Please also re
We look forward to hearing about your skills, experiences and motivation to join us.
Good luck!