Ph.D. (Bioinformatics) Eligibility, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Jobs and Salary

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics is a 3 to 5-year doctoral course. Upon completion of the course, scholars are needed to submit research papers and thesis on various topics related to the field of Bioinformatics.

The main objective of this course is to provide work opportunity on a challenging research problem in the area of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.

Top Universities that offer Ph.D. in Bioinformatics are:

• Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi
• Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon
• Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan
• Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur

Some of the top Entrance tests conducted for admission to the course in India are:

• GATE – Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
• JEST – Joint Entrance Screening Test
• BINC – Bioinformatics National Certification Examination
• JNCASR – Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Entrance Exam
• CSIR UGC NET – exam

A Master’s degree in Maths/ Science or Bachelor’s degree in Biotech/ Bioinformatics is required for getting admission to the doctoral program. Final selection in the course is based on the candidate’s performance in personal interview round.

In India, the average tuition fees charged for this course ranges between INR 4000 to 3 Lacs. The average annual salary offered to such professionals ranges between INR 3 Lacs to 15 Lacs.

Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as: Professor, Bioinformatics Trainee, Research Associate, Clinical Bioinformatics, Applications Scientists, Technology Manager, Domain Expert, and Software Development Scientists

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Course Highlights

The following table shows the major highlights of the course.

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): What is it About?

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics deals with the study of methods of storing, retrieving and analyzing biological data such as Structure, Function, Nucleic Acid and Protein Sequence, Pathways and Genetic Interactions. The primary goal of Bioinformatics is to increase understanding of biological processes.

Bioinformatics is a field of science that combines computer science, mathematics, engineering and statistics to understand biological information. Bioinformatics plays an important role in biomedical research.

Bioinformatics scientists develop their own web based bioinformatics tools. They also coordinate with different departments such as Marketing, Operations, and Business Development and others.

For pursuing career in Bioinformatics students must have excellent problem solving skills, good knowledge in computer, software and technology and they also possess good communication skills.

Successful postgraduate may work in job roles such as Professor, Technology Manager, Domain Expert, Bioinformatics Analyst, and Applications Scientist.

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Top Institutes

The following table shows the list of some of the top institutes in India that offer the course.

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Eligibility 

Students wishing to apply for the course need to fulfil the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Applicants holding Master’s degree In Mathematics, Sciences, Biotech, and Bioinformatics form a recognized university can apply for this course.
• Those who have cleared the common entrance exam conducted by the university are also eligible to apply for the course.

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Admission Process

In India, admission to the course is made on the basis of student’s marks in the Master’s degree examination or their performance in the written examination conducted by some of the institutes. Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their performance in academic record or in entrance examination followed by Personal Interview.

Listed below are some of the top entrance exams conducted in India for admission to the course:

• (BINC) Bioinformatics National Certification Examination
• (DBT-JRF) DBT-Junior Research Fellowship
• (GATE) Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
• AIIMS Ph.D. entrance examination
• (JNCASR) Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research PhD Entrance Exam
• (JEST) Joint Entrance Screening Test
• Delhi Technological University PhD Entrance Exam
• Jamia Millia Islamia University PhD Entrance Exam
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Ph.D Entrance Exam
• The Indian Institute of Science PhD Entrance Exam

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Syllabus and Course Description

The following table shows the syllabus of the course:

Ph.D. (Bioinformatics): Career Prospects

With the use of Information Technology in the area of molecular biology that career prospects in Bioinformatics has been gradually increasing. Degree holders can work in all sectors of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical Organizations, Biotechnology, Research Institutions, Hospital, Industry etc.

Students can work in Private and Government hospitals and as teacher in private and public colleges. The following is the detailed explanation of various job profiles, along with its description and corresponding salaries:

Post Graduation in a relevant discipline or an equivalent qualification with a minimum aggregate of 60% or equivalent CGPA of any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India. A Relaxation of 5% aggregate is there for SC/ST candidates.