Chemical Biology
The Chemical Biology PhD Program is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional application instructions.
Chemical biology is a rapidly growing field that combines the rigor and quantitative aspects of traditional chemistry with the excitement and medical relevance of modern molecular, cellular, organismic, and human biology. You will be encouraged to develop your own ideas, drawing on the expertise available in the community to make exciting new discoveries. You will be able to take full advantage of the unique opportunity to work with a renowned faculty to devise novel approaches to important biological, medical, and chemical problems.
As part of the program, you can interact with the entire campus, including Harvard’s Cambridge campus (Faculty of Arts and Sciences), Harvard Medical School, affiliated hospital laboratories, and the Broad Institute. This flexibility enables you to choose the path that most interests you without restriction.
Examples of theses and dissertations completed by students in the program include “All-Optical Neurophysiology in the Photon-1 Regime,” “Biophysical Studies of the LPT Pathway,” and “Chemical Tools to Study Bromodomains in Cancer.”
Graduates of the program have gone into private industry at biotech companies like Novartis, Merck, and Biogen. Others have secured academic positions at prestigious universities like MIT, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University.
Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Chemical Biology PhD Program and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies.
Admissions Requirements
Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Chemical Biology PhD Program.
Academic Background
Typical students have a strong background in one of the disciplines relevant to chemical biology and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research. Be sure to indicate the faculty that interest you in the Faculty section of the application for admission. Students are not required to contact any faculty in advance but are welcome to do so.
Interviews
Virtual interviews are conducted as part of the application process. Invitations for interviews are usually sent out between late December and early January. Admitted students are invited to an on-campus visit in March. This visit allows students to meet with faculty and current students to get to know our community and the types of research conducted here.
Personal Statement
Required
Standardized Tests
GRE General: Optional
GRE Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology Subject Tests: Optional
Theses & Dissertations
Theses & Dissertations for Chemical Biology