This project is part of the DPhil in Biology at the University of Oxford
Most bacterial infections are short lived and are cleared either by immunity or treatment with antibiotics. Some bacterial lineages, however, might live on us, or in us, for hundreds of generations - the same amount of evolution that human beings have been through since our species first evolved. Over this time, we can see evolutionary changes that effect their ability to persist and that may effect their ability to make us ill by causing disease.
Social behaviours such as quorum sensing, public good production, bacteriocin production and biofilm formation are all crucial behaviours for bacteria but they require evolutionary theory to explain their evolution and persistence.
In this project, you will use extensive clinical collections of Staph. aureus and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa to understand how social behaviours evolve in populations of bacteria we have isolated from human infections. This lab use a combination of laboratory experiments, bioinformatics and comparative methods. Usual practice in this lab is to design a starter project with the student when they begin based on their specific interests and encourage them to develop their own research direction when they feel ready to do so.
This project is part of the Evolutionary Biology theme in the Department of Biology.
Funding
This project is part of the DPhil in Biology programme, and is not a funded course at the University of Oxford, as such, students are expected to explore options for funding. However, we anticipate being able to offer around 6 full graduate scholarships to incoming DPhil Students in 2023-24
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by 20 January 2023. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and potential to excel as a DPhil student.
For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit the University’s dedicated Funding pages.
Eligibility
For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page.
How to apply
The deadline for applications for 2023-2024 entry is midday 20 January 2023. We will continue to accept applications submitted after 20 January 2023, but these late applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.
You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University's graduate admissions page.
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