Microbiology (career) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Why do cancers cells re-express meiotic SYCP1 protein?

University of Liverpool Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology

The aim of meiosis is to generate gametes by recombining the chromosomes and reducing the genome from diploid to haploid. However, in mitosis haploid genome and recombination have catastrophic, oncogenic outcomes. Read more

Supervisor: Dr U McClurg

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

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Geomicrobiological controls on radionuclide speciation and fate during the geodisposal of radioactive waste

The University of Manchester Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Context. The UK has been generating electricity from nuclear power for over sixty years. Consequently, the safe disposal of the UK’s existing ~750,000 m3 of radioactive waste is a clear priority. Read more

Supervisors: Prof J Lloyd, Prof S Shaw, Dr A Uknnl

30 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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How does the dynamic intra-membrane aggregation of phage lysis proteins kill bacterial pathogens?

The University of Manchester Department of Physics and Astronomy

This is an interdisciplinary project. It will provide a unique opportunity to obtain training in a wide range of interdisciplinary skills, including protein engineering techniques, protein purification, atomic force microscopy, neutron reflection and scattering as well as molecular dynamics simulations. Read more

Supervisor: Prof J Lu

28 June 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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(University of Manchester - University of Tokyo Dual Award) Diversifying Antitumor Drugs through the Integration of Synthetic Biology and Chemo-enzymatic Approaches

The University of Manchester Department of Chemistry

Ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743, Trabectedin) is a marine-derived natural organic compound approved for the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas. Read more

Supervisors: Prof E Takano, Prof H Oguri

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Data-driven optimal prediction of bacteria growth

The University of Manchester Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

This project is devoted to an AI-based prediction of bacteria growth and its control by antibiotics. In synthetic biology, an improved understanding of bacterial regulatory circuits is required to develop complex biological systems with functionalities beyond existing in nature [1, 2]. Read more

Supervisor: Prof R Breitling

Year round applications PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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4-year PhD Studentship: Combatting bacterial zoonoses through multi-disciplinary studies of virulence factors

University of Bristol Bristol Veterinary School

Vector-borne diseases, including bacterial zoonoses, pose a significant threat to human and animal health and to livestock industries, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Read more

Supervisor: Dr T Cogan

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

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MSc By Research: Resistance isn’t futile: Uncovering novel mechanisms of fungal drug resistance

Aberdeen University 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: Dr D Childers, Dr S Dall'Angelo

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

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Viral-surface interactions studied by vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy

The University of Manchester Department of Materials

The recent COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular fomite transmission of the virus, led to a lot of interest in how viral particles attached to surfaces, their survival times on different materials and how they transferred to hosts. Read more

Supervisors: Dr A Thomas, Dr R Lindsay

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

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NMR approaches for understanding mass transfer in microbial biofilms and sessile microbial communities

The University of Manchester Department of Chemistry

Biofilms are structured sessile communities of microorganisms with relevance in many areas of life. They are almost omnipresent in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Read more

Supervisors: Prof M Nilsson, Prof A McBain

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

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Host Pathogen Interaction: Investigating the function of Natural Killer Cells in Bacterial Infection

Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences

Natural Killer (NK) cells are immune cells that are critical for controlling intracellular pathogens, including viruses and intracellular bacteria (e.g. Read more

Supervisors: Dr R Aicheler, Dr M Beeton, Dr J Blaxland, Dr S Maddocks

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

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Developing (bio)remediation options for high pH radionuclide contaminated land and water

The University of Manchester Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

The management of radioactively contaminated land is a global “grand challenge”. In the UK this represents a £multi-billion project that will take many decades to complete. Read more

Supervisors: Prof J Lloyd, Prof K Morris, Prof S Shaw

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

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Role of symbiotic microbes of phytoplankton in future ocean carbon storage and productivity

Imperial College London Department of Life Sciences

Marine phytoplankton has a key impact on global carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, their growth is strongly influenced by other smaller microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, that live in the ‘phycosphere’. Read more

Supervisors: Prof T Bell, Dr F Liu, Dr A Shevchuk, Prof Y Korchev

17 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Understanding the soil microbiome under controlled light conditions

University of Greenwich Faculty of Engineering and Science

Our research group is working within a consortium that is testing semi-transparent solar installations on crop growth-houses, to enhance biological and financial resilience in protected farming. Read more

Supervisors: Dr C.V.S. Supamaniam, Dr E Thompson

24 June 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Fully funded BBSRC CTP with Unilever PhD in Biology : Revealing the roles of the anaerobic skin microbiome in malodour production

University of York Department of Biology

Lead supervisor: Prof. Gavin Thomas (UofY Biology). Co-Supervisor: Prof Tony Wilkinson (UofY Chemistry), Dr Alan Cartmell (UofY Biology) and Dr Barry Murphey (Unilever). Read more

Supervisor: Prof G H Thomas

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Self funded MSc by research or PhD in Biology: How do biofertilisers impact plant drought tolerance?

University of York Department of Biology

Lead supervisor: Dr A Hodge . Co-Supervisor: Dr J Ferrari. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

Supervisor: Dr A Hodge

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Self funded MSc by research or PhD in Biology: Membraneless biomelecular condensates, a major regulator of trypanosome parasites differentiation and host adaptation

University of York Department of Biology

Lead supervisor: Dr Mathieu Cayla. Co-Supervisor. Dr Pegine Walrad. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Cayla

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Self funded MSc by research or PhD in Biology: Investigating chromosome segregation in thermophilic Archaea

University of York Department of Biology

Lead supervisor: Prof D Barilla. Co-Supervisor: Prof G Thomas. The student will be registered with the Department of Biology. Read more

Supervisor: Prof D Barilla

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Dietary adaptation of Bifidobacterium in the weaning infant gut (WARRENF_Q24DTP)

Quadram Institute Bioscience Graduate Programme

The infant gut is a complex, constantly adapting ecosystem which shows distinct shifts as a consequence of introducing solid foods, which can have lifelong health impacts. Read more

Supervisor: Dr F Warren

9 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Impact of mineral trapping of nanoparticles on radionuclide transport and fate

University of Strathclyde Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

This PhD presents an exciting opportunity to explore new mechanisms which can impact radionuclide movement in the environment. You will join a dynamic and friendly team of researchers and PhD students across the university and industry sectors, working to innovate new knowledge and technologies. . Read more

Supervisor: Prof V Phoenix

22 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Mechanochemical separation of hydrogen isotopes

University of Strathclyde Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

This PhD project will build on pilot experiments conducted at Strathclyde to develop a new technology that uses mechanochemical reactions to separate hydrogen isotopes. Read more

Supervisors: Prof R Lunn, Dr M Stillings

26 June 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Immune regulation of lung repair, and long-term consequences of infection

University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences

This project is one of 14 four year PhD Studentships funded by Medical Research Scotland (MRS) (https://www.medicalresearchscotland.org.uk) to be delivered jointly by the named University and External Partner Organisation (EPO). Read more

Supervisors: Prof G Perona-Wright, Dr S Jenkins

14 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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