Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
Master’s Opportunities in Synthetic Biology in United States
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International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life
Germany
.
4 days ago
Max Planck School Matter to Life in Germany is offering a fully funded, integrated five-year MSc/PhD programme for students interested in chemistry and interdisciplinary molecular sciences. The two-year Master’s phase takes place at Heidelberg University or the University of Göttingen and covers chemistry, molecular systems, synthetic chemistry, biophysics, biomaterials, synthetic biology, complex systems, and the chemistry of living systems. Students then progress to a three-year PhD research p...
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Chemistry
+9 more
4 days ago
University of Edinburgh
Top university
United Kingdom
.
1 week ago
Top university
Bioengineering MScR at the University of Edinburgh is a postgraduate research degree for students interested in interdisciplinary work across engineering, biology, medicine, and physical sciences. The programme is based in the Institute for Bioengineering within the School of Engineering , and the research environment focuses on synthetic biology , tissue engineering , biomedical modelling and measurement , and biomedical devices and sensors . Research interests include assistive technologies fo...
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
+8 more
1 week ago
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Popular positions
Kehan Zhang
University of Minnesota
United States
.
2 weeks ago
University of Minnesota | Zhang Lab | Biomedical Engineering The Zhang Lab has launched in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and is recruiting founding PhD students for Fall 2027 . The position is described as fully funded , with an application deadline of December 1, 2026 . The lab’s research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology , AI-guided design , high-throughput functional assays , and engineered human models . The group aims to develop programm...
Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Biology
+5 more
2 weeks ago
Juhwan Lee
Virginia Commonwealth University
United States
.
3 months ago
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the research group of Assistant Professor Juhwan Lee in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, starting in Fall 2027. The group’s research interests include AI, medical image analysis, cardiovascular imaging, and multimodal data analytics, with the goal of improving the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. This opportunity is especially relevant for students interested in biomedi...
Computer Science
Data Science
Biomedical Engineering
+9 more
3 months ago
Aaron Wright
Baylor University
United States
.
3 months ago
The Wright Group at Baylor University is recruiting PhD students to begin in Fall 2027 . Research interests include Chemical Biology , Multi-omics , Microbiome Sciences , and projects at the intersection of these areas. The position is associated with Aaron Wright , James R. Schofield Endowed Chair in Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Biology. This is a graduate research opportunity for students interested in interdisciplinary biological and chemical approaches. The post does not mention ...
Chemistry
Biology
Chemical Biology
+1 more
3 months ago
Living costs in United States
Estimated costs in United States.
MonthlyYearly | United States |
|---|---|
 Groceries Basic food shopping for one student per year | $3.0k $3,000/yr |
 Clothing Basic clothing and seasonal needs per year | $1.5k $1,500/yr |
 Books & Academic Supplies Textbooks, stationery, and academic materials per year | $800 $800/yr |
 Housing Shared flats and off-campus rentals per year | $12.0k $12,000/yr |
Estimates based on university averages and Numbeo
Popular professors
Bond Life Sciences Center University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
United States
Research Interests
Crop Science
Cell Biology
Plant Biology
Crispr/cas9
Quantitative Trait Loci (qtl) Mapping
Associate Professor, Professor
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
United States
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Metabolic Biology
Genomic
Computational Biology
Has grant
Assistant Professor
Cornell University
United States
Research Interests
Biostatistics
Ecology
Gene Therapy
Genome Engineering
Transgenic Technology
Professors you could contact
Professor
Stanford University
United States
Research Interests
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Synthetic Biology
Protein Chemistry
Glycobiology
Northwestern University
United States
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Synthetic Biology
Genome Engineering
Molecular Biology
University of Southern California
United States
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Tissue Engineering
Metabolic Engineering
Bioprocessing
Synthetic Biology
Scholarships relevant to you
Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship
Partially Funded
Boustany FoundationUnited StatesBiennial
United StatesBiennialThe Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship supports an outstanding candidate to pursue the Harvard MBA, with financial support and a foundation internship component.
Master
Business
Management
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
Varies
United States-India Educational FoundationUnited StatesAnnual
United StatesAnnualFulbright-Nehru Fellowships support Indian students, scholars and professionals to study, research, teach or pursue professional development in the United States through the Fulbright Program.
Master
PhD
PostDoc
Fulbright Degree Program Pakistan
Fully Funded
United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) in partnership with the United States Department of StateUnited StatesAnnual
United StatesAnnualThe Fulbright Degree Program Pakistan supports Pakistani students to pursue graduate study in the United States, with funding typically covering tuition, living costs and related expenses.
Master
PhD
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Quick
Questions
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying for a PhD position?
In many European and Asian universities yes; in some US programs applications are centralized but supervisor contact still helps.
Is GRE required for master’s or PhD applications abroad?
It depends on the country and university — many programs have made GRE optional, especially outside the US.
Do funded PhD positions usually cover tuition and living expenses?
Yes. Most funded PhD roles include tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend, but details vary by country and lab.
Are publications required to apply for PhD or postdoc positions?
Not always required for PhD, but strongly recommended. For postdoc roles, publications are usually expected.
Will I need to pay a tuition deposit for master’s admission?
In many countries yes — especially for taught master’s programs — but funded PhD positions typically do not require deposits.