Do I need more prion lab experience to get my preferred PhD?

Natasha Schaal Davis asks:

I’m 22 years old and am attempting to take that first step into prion-research-lab-land after graduating with my 1st degree in biology. I have some protein structure research under my belt but feel I will need much, much more prion lab experience to gain the PhD program I’d like to get in to. Any tips?

Professor Simon Mead   (Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead of the UK National Prion Clinic based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery) responds:

Prion research is done at only small number of centers in the UK, mainly in London, and Edinburgh but there are a few other places. The MRC Prion Unit at UCL in London has had a PhD programme that recruits annually (and in fact is open to applications at the moment 20/11/2024). No prion experience is necessary at entry to PhD level. The main criteria that predict success in an application are a first class degree at a research intensive university with some research experience and evidence you have succeeded or gone above and beyond in your academic CV. This could be for example in any contribution to published work, a strong recommendation from a research supervisor, or prizes /awards for academic excellence. A covering letter that explains and evidences your interest in prion diseases also helps (rather than something more generic). PhD is seen as a training/development post, so extensive experience is not a requirement. If the in-house programs are not open then do approach researchers directly with a brief email explaining your interest and attach a CV, they may direct you to PhD programs that have more generic subjects but options within to chose a prion-specific project (e.g. the LIDO scheme, or MRC DTP programs at UCL).