Biomedical Therapeutics
What is an Experiential PhD in Biomedical Therapeutics?
The Experiential PhD in Biomedical Therapeutics combines rigorous academic training with real-world industry experience, designed for professionals in biotech, pharma, and related fields. There are two enrollment options:
- Partner-Sponsored: Employees of companies with a formal partnership agreement with Tufts are fully sponsored by their employer.
- Self-Pay: Qualified applicants from any employer may enroll, where they are responsible for all tuition and fees but may seek reimbursement through employer education benefits.
Choose Your Focus: Key Disciplines in Biomedical Science
Tailor your PhD journey to your career goals with focused disciplines within our Basic Science division. Choose from Neuroscience, Molecular Microbiology, Pharmacology & Drug Development, Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, or Immunology, and deepen your expertise while driving innovation in the biomedical industry.
Depending on your chosen discipline, you’ll engage in cutting-edge research and apply your findings directly to your professional role, enabling you to make an immediate, meaningful impact in your field.
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Click on each discipline to learn more about its focus and curriculum.
Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology – Overview | Curriculum
Immunology – Overview | Curriculum
Molecular Microbiology – Overview | Curriculum
Neuroscience – Overview | Curriculum
Pharmacology & Drug Development – Overview | Curriculum (*GSBS program available is currently a master’s however those in the experiential PhD may focus on this area)
Study with Flexibility and Employer Support
The Experiential PhD Program is designed for accomplished professionals with master’s degrees, offering two enrollment options: full sponsorship through a partner company or a self-pay option with potential employer reimbursement. Students complete the program full-time, with employers adjusting workloads to allow time for research. The program balances career and research commitments, enabling completion in 3-5 years. While on-campus participation in classes and seminars is encouraged, hybrid formats are available for most GSBS activities.
Learn from Leading Experts in Biomedical Fields
At Tufts GSBS, you’ll work alongside a distinguished faculty of over 200 experts in neuroscience, pharmacology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, and drug development. Our faculty, drawn from across Tufts’ Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Dental Medicine, and more, are committed to advancing biomedical science and therapeutics. Your Thesis Advisory Committee will include both academic mentors and industry leaders, ensuring personalized guidance for your research and career. Candidates, including self-pay students, will conduct all or most of their thesis research at their company. Employers must approve research that is separate from, but related to, the company’s projects.
Drive Innovation in Drug Development and Therapeutics
As an experienced professional in biomedical research, you can elevate your career by conducting independent research in your field of interest. Your work will not only advance your career but also shape the future of drug development, leading to innovative treatments that transform patient care. With the unique opportunity to research while continuing your professional role, you’ll position yourself at the forefront of biomedical therapeutics, becoming a leader in R&D.
Explore the latest breakthroughs as our faculty and students push the boundaries of innovation in drug development and therapeutics.
Learn from Leading Experts in Biomedical Fields
Receive a rigorous academic experience that combines the highest standards with real-world industry engagement. In the Experiential PhD Program, you’ll be supported by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), including an industry advisor, an academic advisor, and two renowned Tufts faculty members. This mentorship structure ensures a comprehensive and credible PhD experience, equivalent to traditional programs. Access unmatched opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and networking with leaders in drug discovery, biomedical research, and therapeutics. By engaging with a dynamic academic and industry community, you’ll build lasting connections that elevate your career and drive groundbreaking advancements in the field.
Program Details
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This newly launched program is designed for industry professionals with a master’s degree in a relevant field who are currently employed in the biotech, pharma, or related sectors.
If you’re interested in fully sponsored enrollment but your company is not yet a partner, we encourage you to connect with your HR department and inform them of this opportunity. We are actively seeking to forge new connections and would be happy to discuss how your company can participate in the program. Please feel free to share the program flyer.
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The program offers two enrollment and funding options:
- Partner-Sponsored: Employees of companies with a formal participating agreement with Tufts are fully sponsored by their employer.
- Self-Pay: Qualified applicants from any employer may enroll through the self-pay option. These students are responsible for all tuition and fees but may seek reimbursement through employer education benefits. All financial arrangements must be made in advance between the employee and their employer.
Tufts University does not offer stipends, scholarships, or financial support for this program.
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The program offers specializations in the following biomedical fields:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Immunology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Pharmacology & Drug Development
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Students complete the program full-time with flexible work hours, supported by their employer. Employers adjust professional workloads, allowing students to focus on rigorous academic research while maintaining their career. Hybrid learning options further enhance flexibility, enabling students to balance their studies and professional commitments effectively.
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The program is designed to be completed in 3 to 5 years, with academic and thesis requirements equivalent to those of traditional PhD programs. This timeline ensures a balance of rigorous academic development and practical industry engagement.
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Your research will be independent and focused on basic science, distinct from your company’s projects. This approach ensures academic integrity and mitigates conflicts of interest related to intellectual property, enabling you to contribute to the field while maintaining the highest research standards.
Students benefit from comprehensive mentorship through a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), which includes:
- An industry advisor
- An academic advisor
- Two Tufts faculty members
This expert team will guide you throughout your research and PhD journey, providing a blend of academic and industry-focused guidance.
Generally, students will conduct their research at their company’s site, with the option to utilize Tufts laboratories as well. This arrangement will be determined at the start of enrollment.
Contact Information
Michele Jacob, PhD
Program Director
Information for Industry Sponsors
Interested in offering the Tufts PhD in Biomedical Therapeutics to your employees? Set up a call with us to discuss how your company can collaborate with Tufts to provide this exclusive educational opportunity.
Let’s talk about how we can collaborate to advance your team’s expertise, foster innovation, and strengthen your organization’s leadership in the biomedical field.