The DPhil in Surgical Sciences is a full-time doctoral programme offering research training for both clinical and non-clinical graduates in their chosen field of research. Doctoral programmes focus on a specific research project. Projects can be chosen from across all areas of research in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS), for example: ageing and degenerative diseases; cancer; cardiac/cardiovascular sciences; cell biology and genes; clinical trials and epidemiology; diabetes; evidence-based medicine; immunology; musculoskeletal science; neurosciences; oncology; stem cells; translational medicine and medical technology. You will work closely with an academic supervisor who oversees your studies, and you will produce a thesis that represents a significant and substantial piece of work. For experimental sciences you are also likely to collaborate with your supervisor on shared laboratory work as part of a research team. There is usually no required coursework. However, the Medical Sciences Division's skills training programme offers opportunities for you to develop your research and professional skills over the duration of your DPhil. It is recommended that you spend at least ten days a year on your graduate skills training. After successfully completing a DPhil in Surgical Sciences, research students typically progress to either postdoctoral research positions pursuing an academic career or, for clinically qualified individuals, to further clinical training and/or clinician-scientist posts.