At the University of Iowa, Genetics PhD students receive rigorous interdisciplinary training, full financial support, and close mentorship in a collaborative and welcoming research community. Our graduates leave prepared for careers in academia, industry, data science, and beyond—supported by cutting‑edge facilities and a high quality of life in Iowa City.

Design a PhD That Fits Your Career Goals

Students build a strong foundation through core coursework while tailoring electives and lab rotations to their interests—whether experimental, computational, or translational research.

Build Teaching & Communication Skills

All students have an opportunity to teach in small group and classroom settings. Workshops promote communication and presentation skills. Certificates in Teaching are available for students interested in obtaining additional teaching experience and/or pursuing careers in teaching.

Receive Full Financial Support

All admitted students receive full tuition scholarships plus a competitive annual stipend and benefits package. Genetics PhD students are eligible to apply for a number of internal fellowships, NIH Training Grant appointments, and teaching assistantships.

Access to 70+ Faculty Mentors

The Genetics Ph.D. program has over 70 affiliated faculty members across 18 departments. This breadth gives students the flexibility to find mentors who match their scientific interests and career goals. Award-winning faculty include 9 current fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1 fellow of the Academy of Science, and 5 fellows of the Academy of Medicine.

Meet Our Faculty

Explore Multiple Research Areas

Students complete a minimum of 3 10-week lab rotations during the first year of graduate studies before selecting a thesis lab to affiliate with. Research emphasis span diverse areas of modern genetics, including: 

  • Computational Genetics & Genomics
  • Developmental Genetics
  • Gene Regulation & Expression
  • Human Genetics
  • Molecular and Biochemical Genetics
  • Evolutionary Genetics
  • Microbial Genetics

Join a Cohesive Graduate Student Community

The Genetics Graduate Program consists of approximately forty graduate students pursuing Ph.D. training. Student led seminar course and writing club provides students low stakes opportunities to practice presentation and workshop written proposals with feedback from their peers. Annual Student Retreat gives students the opportunity to present their research to other students and faculty in the program. Student social committee hosts monthly coffee socials and quarterly program sponsored events. 

Meet our students

Produce High Impact Research in State-of-the-Art Facilities

The University of Iowa provides advanced, university‑wide core facilities that enable high‑impact research and accelerate discovery. Centralized resources and expert technical support allow students to generate high‑quality data efficiently, focus on scientific questions that matter, and move research projects forward without unnecessary delays.

Where our graduates go

Graduates of the Genetics PhD program pursue successful careers in academic research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, computational biology, and science policy. A comprehensive list of where our graduates our now can be found by visiting our alumni page.