Hildebrand

This fully-funded 4-year PhD project at the University of East Anglia offers an exciting opportunity for a motivated student interested in computational biology and bioinformatics. The research focuses on the evolution of the gut microbiome and epithelial changes in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), aiming to develop new methods for high-resolution metagenomics and apply population genetics theory. The project is highly interdisciplinary, combining clinical translation, advanced sequencing technologies (next-generation and third-generation), and machine learning approaches to analyze and interpret metagenomic data. Students will gain expertise in describing dysbiotic microbiomes and understanding host-microbial interactions, acclimatization, and adaptation, with validation in additional patient cohorts. The project is a collaboration between the Quadram Institute, Earlham Institute, and Imperial College, centered at the Norwich Research Park, which hosts a vibrant research community and multiple startups. Training includes attending international conferences, courses, and exchanges with global collaborators. Supervision is provided by Prof Hildebrand, Prof Papatheodorou, and Dr Korcsmaros, offering a rich environment for academic growth. The studentship covers full tuition fees, a generous annual stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26), and a Research Training Support Grant. Applicants must have at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The program starts on 1 October 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the provided institutional websites.