PhD in Microbiology

The PhD program in microbiology at UMass Amherst will help you become a leader and scholar in the field by discovering and contributing new knowledge about microbial science.

You’ll take a holistic approach to microbiology education, with opportunities for fieldwork, independent projects, and a curiosity-based learning model. While other programs focus almost entirely on clinical microbiology in medical schools, at UMass Amherst you’ll explore environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and pathogenic microbiology.

You’ll also complete one semester of teaching, gaining valuable experience as an instructor at the collegiate level.

Our PhD graduates are often awarded postdoctoral fellowships at leading academic institutions, and they regularly receive multiple offers prior to or shortly after graduation. Many others hold senior research management positions in the industry.