University of St Andrews
1 week ago
PhD in Mechanism and Consequences of Lethal Zygosis in Bacteria Restricting AMR Plasmids University of St Andrews in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
Competition-funded 4-year PhD through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews covers the Home-International fee difference.
Deadline
Nov 16, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of St Andrews
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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of St Andrews in the School of Biology / Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, as part of the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
The project is titled “Mechanism and consequences of lethal zygosis in bacteria restricting AMR plasmids” and focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), conjugative plasmids, restriction-modification (RM) systems, bacterial defence systems, plasmid transmission, and phage therapy. The research asks how defence-induced lethal zygosis arises, how it varies across plasmids and defence systems, and what consequences it has for plasmid and phage infection dynamics.
Students will use experimental molecular and evolutionary microbiology, molecular biology, and bacterial genetics. Training may include mutant construction, flow cytometry, microscopy, and, depending on interest, bioinformatics, mathematical modelling, or experimental evolution. The student will join an interdisciplinary doctoral training environment and complete a 3-month placement in a non-academic setting.
Funding: competition-funded 4-year PhD with stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK tuition fees covered. The advert states it is open to UK and international students, with the University of St Andrews covering the Home-International fee difference.
Eligibility / requirements: interest in microbiology, bacterial genetics, molecular biology, and evolutionary approaches; English language qualification if applicable; application materials include the EASTBIO application form, academic qualifications, and two references.
How to apply: complete the EASTBIO survey and application form, then submit an online application via the University of St Andrews portal for the course “PhD with internship.” Send the EASTBIO reference form to referees and ensure all required documents are uploaded.
Supervisor: Dr Tatiana Dimitriu (with Prof M F White also named on the advert). Informal enquiries: [email protected].
Funding details
Competition-funded 4-year PhD through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews covers the Home-International fee difference.
What's required
Applicants should have interest in molecular and evolutionary microbiology, molecular biology, and bacterial genetics. The project welcomes students who want training in mutant construction, flow cytometry, and microscopy, with optional opportunities in bioinformatics, mathematical modelling, or experimental evolution. The advert is open to UK and international students; English language qualification is required if applicable.
How to apply
Download and complete the EASTBIO Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey and EASTBIO Application Form. Submit an online application through the University of St Andrews portal and select the course 'PhD with internship'. Include the EASTBIO form, academic qualifications, English language qualification if applicable, and two references on the EASTBIO Reference Form.
More information can be found here
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