PhD in Microbiology - Host Pathogen Interactions

Being a postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Biological Sciences gives you the opportunity to become part of a vibrant research community. We offer a broad range of PhD projects in world-leading research groups and labs, with access to facilities, training and support, providing you with the best start to a career in research and beyond. A research degree in the Faculty of Biological Sciences is an opportunity to gain and develop skills as an independent researcher in your chosen field. Under the supervision of your lead supervisor and one or more co-supervisors, you will get the chance to carry out cutting-edge research on a particular biological problem and to become part of a large research community using multi-disciplinary approaches to tackle today’s important research questions. Throughout your PhD you will not only strengthen your research skills and knowledge within your research area but also develop skills through our training programmes as well as through attendance as seminars and conferences.Using a variety of state of the art techniques ranging from structural biology, EM, live cell imaging and proteomics, through to studies in human tissue models and in vivo research, teams within SMCB are focused on gaining further molecular and cellular insights into these complex interactions between pathogens and their hosts. Research includes investigating the modulation of host cells by tumourgenic viruses (eg Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus, adenoviruses and human papillomaviruses), understanding the pathogenesis and persistence of chronic viral infection such as hepatitis C, dissecting the activation of host inflammatory responses by fungal and bacterial pathogens, and investigating the mechanisms of infectious respiratory diseases to inform vaccine design. Together, our research is providing a greater mechanistic understanding of host-pathogen interactions, shedding light on multiple fundamental physiological processes, and thereby guiding the development of future therapeutic strategies.

For most postgraduate research programs, a first-class or good upper second-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) is often expected. Additionally, candidates may need to hold a British Master's degree or an equivalent professional qualification.