Chung Kim
Academic Program Manager
ckim@gatech.edu | 404.385.4240 | EBB 2009
When Scientists Thrive, Science Flourishes
Ph.D. Programs in Biological Sciences
Experience 6 doctoral programs that value both scientific rigor and researcher well-being, providing everything you need to transform biology and enjoy the journey.
Apply NowYour path, our commitment.
Life in the Biological Sciences Ph.D. Programs
Anatomy of a Scientific Mind
Scientific Excellence
Cutting-edge research with world-class resources.
Every other day,something happens that makes me happy I chose to go to Tech and not somewhere else: there are a lot of resources on campus, and a lot of people who really care."
Gretchen Johnson, Ph.D. student
Research Innovation
- Interdisciplinary research across departments
- Pioneering discoveries spanning a wide range of biological disciplines from ecology and physiology to the cellular and molecular level
- 3-4 or more peer-reviewed publications during doctorate
Academic Prestige
- Top 10 U.S. public university
- Mentorship from leaders in a wide range of scientific fields
- Global collaborations with elite institutions
Research Resources
- State-of-the-art technology for cutting-edge research
- 12 research areas from molecular to computational
- Outstanding core facilities
Scientific Development
- Years 1–2: Coursework & lab rotations or opportunities to join labs right away; start of independent research
- Years 2–5: Independent research
- Supervise undergraduate researchers
- Presentations at an average of 4+ international conferences
Research Impact
- Publications in high-impact journals
- Patent & tech transfer opportunities
- Solutions to real biological challenges
- Strong foundation for scientific leadership
Exceptional Quality of Life
Balance,community, and the perfect environment for scientific minds to flourish.
Atlanta offers a good work-life balance. The city provides diverse international cuisine for dining breaks,while the surrounding natural areas are easilyaccessible. This combination allows me to recharge effectivelywhile still maintaining my research commitments.
Hikaru Katani, Ph.D. student
Prime Location & Connectivity
- Campus in the heart of Atlanta
- Walkable & bike-friendly area
- Highest percentage of urban tree canopy
- CDC & other universities in close proximity
- Numerous scientific seminars by world-renowned scientists
Supportive Community
- Dedicated student well-being staff
- Collaborative over competitive environment
- International community
- One-on-one career development & monthly workshops
Culture & Wellness Resources
- Regular health and well-being programs for graduate students
- Plethora of on- and off-campus dining options
- Campus recreation center (CRC)
- Academic–personal development balance
- International supermarkets
- Art, music, and food festivals
Comprehensive Financial Support
Freedom to focus on what truly matters: your research and discovery.
I'm really grateful to be somewhere where I don't have to compromise my focus to feel financial security.
Julia Schumacher, Ph.D. student
Complete Financial Package
- Stipend with regular inflation adjustments
- Tuition waiver
- Subsidized health insurance
Additional Financial resources
- Multiple Scholarship Opportunities
- International conference funding awards
- Emergency fund access
Research Support
- State-of-the-art core facilities
- Writing center and HPC resources
- Numerous internal & external award opportunities
Program Highlights & Support
The Ph.D. programs in Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech aim to train highly qualified scientists prepared to conduct innovative research and make significant contributions to their fields.
Our 6 research-intensive Ph.D. programs typically take 5-6 years to complete, with students defending their dissertations by the end of their 5th or during their 6th year.
Key Program Components
- Flexibility to complete courses within the first or second year
- Join a Lab right away to select the ideal thesis advisor
- Establish a dissertation topic and advisory committee by the end of the first year
- Focus intensively on original research in subsequent years
- Gain teaching, mentoring, and leadership skills
Comprehensive Financial Package
- $37,500 (from Fall 2025) annual stipend with inflation adjustment – one of the highest in comparable programs
- Tuition waiver
- Subsidized health insurance coverage
- Conference travel funding for presenting research
- Additional opportunities for external and internal awards
Life Under the Lens of Our Research Panorama
Ph.D. Student Breakthroughs
Personalized Cancer Therapies
Doctoral students at the Integrated Cancer Research Center ICRC have pioneered targeted therapies that adapt to specific genetic profiles of individual patient tumors, significantly improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.
Novel Strategies Against Bacterial Infections
Through their Ph.D. research at the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection CMDI, our students have identified critical bacterial resistance mechanisms and developed innovative compounds that overcome these defenses, addressing the urgent challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Synthetic Biology for Sustainable Production
Ph.D. candidates at the Center for the Study of Systems Biology CSSB have successfully engineered microorganisms that produce renewable biofuels and chemical compounds with unprecedented efficiency, contributing groundbreaking solutions to global sustainability challenges.
Academic Outcomes
Our Ph.D. graduates publish an average of 4 research papers in prestigious journals and present at typically more than 4 international conferences during their time in the program.
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