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PhD in designer proteins for biofilm carbohydrate targeting and antimicrobial resistance Cardiff University in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Pharmacology
Funding
Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Covers UK tuition fees and a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually). Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is available. International candidates will not need to cover the home/international tuition fee difference, but must cover visa, healthcare surcharge, and moving costs.
Deadline
Oct 21, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
Cardiff University

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About this position
PhD opportunity at Cardiff University in the Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on designer proteins for targeting biofilm matrix carbohydrates and combating bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance.
The project focuses on biofilms formed by major pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans. The research aims to design novel protein carbohydrate-binding domains that can recognize biofilm extracellular polysaccharides, disrupt the protective matrix, and improve the penetration and effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments.
Students will work across computational and experimental approaches, including literature analysis, molecular docking, structure prediction, protein design, yeast display selection, recombinant expression in E. coli, purification, fluorescence polarisation, isothermal titration calorimetry, biofilm binding assays, and fusion-protein testing with exo-/endo-glucanases.
This is a funded PhD studentship under the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Funding includes UK tuition fees, a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum, and additional research training/support funding. International applicants are eligible, and the programme states that the tuition fee difference is covered, though international students must cover visa and relocation-related costs.
Eligibility: applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent. If English is not your first language, you must meet the English language requirements by the start date.
Application window: apply via the GW4 BioMed website by 5:00 pm on 21 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified in December 2026, interviews are scheduled for January 2027, and the studentship starts on 1 October 2027.
Funding details
Funded PhD studentship through the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme. Covers UK tuition fees and a Doctoral Stipend matching the UK Research Council National Minimum (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated annually). Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is available. International candidates will not need to cover the home/international tuition fee difference, but must cover visa, healthcare surcharge, and moving costs.
What's required
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK. English language requirements must be met by the start of the programme if English is not the applicant’s first language. The studentship is open to UK and international applicants, with international candidates subject to the programme’s cap and visa-related costs.
How to apply
Check the GW4 BioMed website for the list of projects and application instructions. Select up to two projects and submit one application per candidate only. Complete the online application form for an offer of funding by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, then apply for an offer to study if shortlisted.
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