Antonis Papachristodoulou

The University of Oxford is inviting applications for its DPhil (PhD) programme in Engineering Biology through the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT). This unique programme is designed for students interested in pursuing research at the intersection of engineering and biology, with a particular focus on synthetic biology and its real-world applications. The CDT provides interdisciplinary training, equipping students with the skills needed to translate synthetic biology concepts and technologies into impactful products and solutions. The programme is based in the Department of Engineering Science and is part of the EPSRC and BBSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Biology. Students will benefit from a collaborative research environment, access to world-class facilities, and guidance from leading academics such as Professor Antonis Papachristodoulou. The EngBio CDT is also participating in the TechExpert pilot, which offers generous stipends of £31,000 per year for students eligible for home fee status, supporting both tuition and living expenses. International applicants are encouraged to review the programme website for specific funding opportunities and eligibility criteria. Applicants should have a strong academic background in engineering, biology, or a related field, and demonstrate a keen interest in interdisciplinary research. The programme seeks highly motivated individuals who are eager to contribute to advances in synthetic biology and engineering biology. English language proficiency is required for non-native speakers, and applicants should prepare a comprehensive application including academic transcripts, references, and a personal statement outlining their research interests and motivation. The application deadline is 12pm on 8 January 2026. Prospective students should apply online via the University of Oxford graduate admissions portal, ensuring all materials are submitted before the deadline. For more information, visit the official programme page and contact the department if you have specific questions about eligibility or the application process.

[Full award for UK students: home fees plus stipend; course fees covered at the UK rate (at least £10,940 per year) and a tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 per year for the first year and for a further two and a half years. There may be flexibility for international students.] PhD Studentship in Control and Engineering Biology at the University of Oxford This 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship explores Synthetic Biology for fundamental science and application scale-up . The project sits at the interface of synthetic biology, control engineering, AI, and robotics, with a focus on developing new approaches for designing reliable engineered biosystems and applying them to global biotechnology challenges. Possible research directions include genetically engineering microbes to change form and function, building theory and AI methods for better biosystem design, and creating robotic measurement and control platforms that automate experimentation and discovery. Extensions may include directed evolution, protein engineering, and biomedical or environmental applications, especially where scale-up is important. The studentship is integrated with the EPSRC Programme Grant EEBio: Efficient engineering and control of predictable and reliable biotechnologies . The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary environment with academic and industrial experts and may collaborate nationally and internationally. Supervisors: Prof Harrison Steel and Prof Antonis Papachristodoulou. Funding: For UK students, the award covers home fees and provides a stipend. Course fees are covered at the UK rate (at least £10,940 per year), and the stipend is at least £21,805 per year for the first year and for a further two and a half years. There may be some flexibility for international students, but they are advised to contact the supervisors directly before applying. Eligibility highlights: Applicants should hold a first-class degree or strong 2:1 in a relevant quantitative, engineering, or bioscience field such as Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, Physics, Biology/Biotechnology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, or Mathematics. Strong English communication skills are required. Useful but not mandatory experience includes microbiology, synthetic biology, AI, control engineering, biological lab work, programming/software engineering, and robotics prototyping. How to apply: Submit a graduate application through the University of Oxford admissions portal and quote reference 27ENGCO_HS . Informal enquiries can be directed to [email protected] and [email protected] . Deadline: noon on Tuesday 2 December 2026. Start date: October 2027.