Investigating Non-thermal ‘Cold’ Plasmas for Enhancing the Delivery and Efficacy of Antibiotics and Complex molecules to biofilms of clinically relevant bacteria

Research Group: Infection and antimicrobial resistance

Biofilms, complex multi-species consortia of microorganisms existing either as surface attached communities or non-surface-attached aggregates, are characterised by significantly elevated tolerance to antimicrobial challenges and often an inability to adequately treat the infection with conventional antibiotics. Read more

Supervisors: Prof B Gilmore, Dr T Thompson

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

More details

Harnessing Biofilm Engineering to Remove Heavy Metals and Microplastics from Water

University of Southampton

School of Biological Sciences

This project is being advertised as part of the Engineering Biology for Environmental Applications Doctoral Focal Award, led by Cranfield University. Read more

Supervisor: Prof R McCarthy

20 July 2026 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

More details

Deconstructing biofilms

University of York

York Biomedical Research Institute

Lead supervisor. Dr Agnes Noy. Co-supervisors. Dr Martin Fascione and Prof Gavin Thomas. The student will be registered with the Department of Physics, Engineering and Technology. Read more

Supervisors: Dr AN Noy, Dr M A Fascione, Prof G Thomas

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

Beyond scratching the surface: optimisation of biofilm disinfection. (Reference no.: SHLS26146- Kean)

Glasgow Caledonian University

School of Health and Life Sciences

Research Group: ReaCH -The Research Centre for Health

Project description. We have an exciting opportunity for a four-year PhD studentship within the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) at Glasgow Caledonian University (https://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/reach). Read more

Supervisors: Dr R Kean, Prof G Ramage, Mr J Clarke

30 July 2026 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

More details

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress

University of Dundee

Faculty of Life Sciences

Biofilms have a significant impact in many environments including medical and agricultural sectors. Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that is widely used as a model organism to increase our understanding of biofilm formation. . Read more

Supervisors: Prof N Stanley-Wall, Dr S Coulthurst

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

PhD in Engineering - Engineering Biofilms to 'Trap and Degrade' Microplastics and Heavy Metals from Water

University of Glasgow

College of Science and Engineering

We are looking to recruit highly motivated, committed researchers who want to apply state-of-the-art engineering biology and science to deliver real-world solutions for a sustainable future. Read more

Supervisor: Prof CJ Smith

19 July 2026 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

More details

Diagnostic biomarkers and mechanistic understanding of biofilm formation in prosthetic joint infection

University of Portsmouth

School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. Read more

Supervisors: Prof S Robson, Dr R Baldock

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

Synthesis, Characterisation and Evaluation of Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Polymicrobial Biofilms.

University of Birmingham

School of Dentistry

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major global health threat, driven in part by the persistence of polymicrobial biofilms that exhibit high tolerance to antimicrobial treatments and immune defences. Read more

Supervisors: Dr A R Rahman, Dr L Cox

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

Investigating microbial biofilm omics to prevent infection and improve future therapies and diagnostics

University of Nottingham

School of Pharmacy

Griffiths Group. My group uses advanced mass spectrometry approaches to study biological surfaces such as microbial biofilms. I am interested in the study of e.g. Read more

Supervisor: Dr R Griffiths

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

Regulation of virulence and biofilm formation by quorum sensing and the "stress alarmone" ppGpp in gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

University of Cambridge

Department of Biochemistry

We are investigating the complex interplay between cell-cell signalling (quorum sensing), microbial lifestyle (i.e., free-living planktonic cultures vs sessile biofilm communities), growth phase and virulence in gram-negative bacteria. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Welch

Year round applications PhD Research Project Awaiting Funding Decision/Possible External Funding

More details

Bacteriophage-derived antimicrobial proteins

Queen’s University Belfast

School of Pharmacy

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health challenge and there is an urgent need for precision antimicrobials that can eradicate pathogens and biofilms without driving broad-spectrum resistance. Read more

Supervisors: Dr T Skvortsov, Dr S Carmali

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

NMR studies of transport-driven metabolic organization in microbial biofilms and microbiomes

The University of Manchester

Department of Chemistry

Research Group: Analytical Chemistry and Microbiology

Biofilms are structured, surface-attached microbial communities that are relevant across natural, clinical, and industrial settings. Read more

Supervisors: Prof M Nilsson, Prof A McBain

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

Infection-responsive coatings for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Queen’s University Belfast

School of Pharmacy

Medical care has transformed over the last century with significant improvements in the variety and extent to which various diseases can be treated and/or prevented. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Wylie

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

How can DNA condensate despite its negative charge? Implications in genome regulation, antibiotic resistance and gene therapy

University of York

School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

Research Group: Physics of Life

DNA molecules, being highly negatively charged, naturally repel each other. However, in the presence of multivalent ions or specific proteins, they can overcome this repulsion and condense into compact structures. Read more

Supervisor: Dr AN Noy

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

MSc by Research: The impact of gain-of-function mutations on Candida albicans antifungal drug tolerance and pathobiology

University of Aberdeen

School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition

The MSc by Research programme at the University of Aberdeen is for students interested in a research-intensive master's degree. It is designed specifically to enhance your skills for a PhD or research career. Read more

Supervisors: Prof C Munro, Dr L Walker

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

More details

We have 38 biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 38 biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Investigating Non-thermal ‘Cold’ Plasmas for Enhancing the Delivery and Efficacy of Antibiotics and Complex molecules to biofilms of clinically relevant bacteria

Harnessing Biofilm Engineering to Remove Heavy Metals and Microplastics from Water

Deconstructing biofilms

Beyond scratching the surface: optimisation of biofilm disinfection. (Reference no.: SHLS26146- Kean)

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress

PhD in Engineering - Engineering Biofilms to 'Trap and Degrade' Microplastics and Heavy Metals from Water

Diagnostic biomarkers and mechanistic understanding of biofilm formation in prosthetic joint infection

Synthesis, Characterisation and Evaluation of Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Polymicrobial Biofilms.

Investigating microbial biofilm omics to prevent infection and improve future therapies and diagnostics

Regulation of virulence and biofilm formation by quorum sensing and the "stress alarmone" ppGpp in gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

Bacteriophage-derived antimicrobial proteins

NMR studies of transport-driven metabolic organization in microbial biofilms and microbiomes

Infection-responsive coatings for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections

How can DNA condensate despite its negative charge? Implications in genome regulation, antibiotic resistance and gene therapy

MSc by Research: The impact of gain-of-function mutations on Candida albicans antifungal drug tolerance and pathobiology

We have 38 biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 38 biofilm PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Investigating Non-thermal ‘Cold’ Plasmas for Enhancing the Delivery and Efficacy of Antibiotics and Complex molecules to biofilms of clinically relevant bacteria

Harnessing Biofilm Engineering to Remove Heavy Metals and Microplastics from Water

Deconstructing biofilms

Beyond scratching the surface: optimisation of biofilm disinfection. (Reference no.: SHLS26146- Kean)

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress

PhD in Engineering - Engineering Biofilms to 'Trap and Degrade' Microplastics and Heavy Metals from Water

Diagnostic biomarkers and mechanistic understanding of biofilm formation in prosthetic joint infection

Synthesis, Characterisation and Evaluation of Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Polymicrobial Biofilms.

Investigating microbial biofilm omics to prevent infection and improve future therapies and diagnostics

Regulation of virulence and biofilm formation by quorum sensing and the "stress alarmone" ppGpp in gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

Bacteriophage-derived antimicrobial proteins

NMR studies of transport-driven metabolic organization in microbial biofilms and microbiomes

Infection-responsive coatings for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections

How can DNA condensate despite its negative charge? Implications in genome regulation, antibiotic resistance and gene therapy

MSc by Research: The impact of gain-of-function mutations on Candida albicans antifungal drug tolerance and pathobiology

Select your nearest city

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Sign in to view and filter all scholarship opportunities