Sandra Beleza

The University of Leicester is offering two fully funded PhD studentships focused on the evolutionary mechanisms in bacteria that lead to antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity. Project 1 investigates the epidemiology, genetic basis, and molecular evolution of antimicrobial drug resistance in Helicobacter pylori using population models and advanced computational analyses. Project 2 explores the evolutionary mechanisms that drive pathogens from commensality to virulence, integrating large-scale genomic datasets with simulation modelling and evolutionary inference. Both projects are supervised by Dr Sandra Beleza and Dr Fabian Freund, whose research groups are internationally recognised for their work in population genetics, microbiology, and bioinformatics. Students will join an interdisciplinary team and receive comprehensive training in bioinformatics, statistics, and laboratory methods. Applicants should have a strong academic record in Biological Sciences, with relevant experience in microbiology, genetics, or bioinformatics. The studentships are fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend. For more information and to apply, visit the project links or contact the supervisors. The application deadline is not specified; interested candidates should apply as soon as possible.

🧬 PhD opportunity at the University of Leicester in microbial genomics , bacterial evolution , and antimicrobial resistance . This BBSRC MIBTP PhD project explores bacterial evolution and antimicrobial resistance using genomic and evolutionary approaches . It is a strong fit for students interested in microbiology, genomics, evolution, and computational/analytical approaches to biological data. Supervisor/announcer: Dr Sandra Beleza, Lecturer in the Department of Genetics, University of Leicester. Application deadline: 23 November 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the project details and application link, and to contact the supervisor for an informal chat.