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University of Edinburgh

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PhD in Antibiotic Resistance Plasmid Dynamics and Microbial Evolution University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Competition-funded PhD studentship open to UK and international students. Funding covers a stipend and UK-level tuition fees; the University of Edinburgh covers the difference between home and international fees, making the studentship fully funded for appointees. There is a cap on the number of international students recruited.

Deadline

Nov 16, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Edinburgh

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Keywords

Computer Science
Epidemiology
Biology
Mathematical Modeling
Antibiotic Resistance
Medical Science
Salud Pública
Statistics
Bacterial Genomic

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About this position

PhD opportunity at the University of Edinburgh in antibiotic resistance, plasmid dynamics, microbial evolution, and infectious disease dynamics.

This EASTBIO-funded project asks what determines whether a resistance plasmid establishes and spreads in a new bacterial lineage. The work focuses on Enterobacterales across agricultural, environmental, and clinical reservoirs, with examples including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The project aims to understand how plasmid transfer, establishment, segregational loss, fitness costs, persistence, and clonal expansion shape the spread of resistance genes.

Research directions can be tailored to the student’s interests:

- Modelling: build a multi-scale model linking within-host and between-host processes.
- Experimental: measure conjugation, establishment, fitness cost, and plasmid loss across plasmid–lineage combinations.
- Genomic: analyse a longitudinal dataset of Enterobacterales from animal, environmental, and clinical sources using dated phylogenies and resolved plasmid sequences.
- Combined: integrate experimental or genomic estimates into a mathematical model.

The project is especially suitable for students interested in microbial genomics, mathematical modelling, and experimental microbiology. Full training will be provided in unfamiliar methods.

Funding: competition-funded EASTBIO BBSRC DTP studentship. Open to UK and international students. Funding covers stipend and UK-level tuition fees, with the University of Edinburgh covering the difference between home and international fees, subject to international student caps.

Application deadline: 2026-11-16.

How to apply: submit the EASTBIO Application Form and academic transcripts (PDF) to Sarah Golightly, and ensure referees send references using the EASTBIO reference form template by the deadline.

Funding details

Competition-funded PhD studentship open to UK and international students. Funding covers a stipend and UK-level tuition fees; the University of Edinburgh covers the difference between home and international fees, making the studentship fully funded for appointees. There is a cap on the number of international students recruited.

What's required

This is a 4-year PhD project funded through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Applicants with backgrounds in mathematical modelling, microbial genomics, or experimental microbiology are particularly encouraged, and candidates interested in working across these areas are welcome. Full training will be provided in unfamiliar techniques. Applicants must follow the EASTBIO application process and submit the required application form, transcripts, and references by the deadline.

How to apply

Complete the EASTBIO Application Form and attach your academic transcripts as a PDF. Send the application and ask your referees to submit references using the EASTBIO reference form template to Sarah Golightly by the deadline. Follow the EASTBIO Biology application guidance for full instructions.

More information can be found here

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