Tung Le
4 days ago
PhD Studentship: Breaking Code: Deciphering the Biology of the Selfless Virus-like Gene Transfer Agents University of East Anglia in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Microbiology
Funding
Available
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of East Anglia
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About this position
PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia on the biology of Gene Transfer Agents (GTAs), virus-like particles that bacteria have domesticated to package and spread DNA.
This project addresses a fundamental question in microbiology and bacterial evolution: how horizontally transferred genetic information becomes incorporated into host signalling and physiology. GTAs are also relevant to the spread of antimicrobial resistance and may provide future opportunities for biotechnology and therapeutic engineering.
The successful candidate will join the laboratory of Prof. Tung Le in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at the John Innes Centre, a world-class institute for plant and microbial research. The project is multidisciplinary and offers training in molecular microbiology, fluorescence microscopy, omics, protein-protein interaction studies, and structural biology.
Funding: 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The award covers tuition fees, provides a stipend of £21,805 (2026/27 rate) for living expenses, and includes a £5,000 per year Research Training Support Grant.
Eligibility: Open to students from across the biological sciences. Applicants should hold at least a UK-equivalent 2:1 Bachelors (Honours) degree and meet the English language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category.
Deadline: 30 November 2026. Start date: 1 October 2027. Mode of study: Full-time.
Applications should be submitted via the University of East Anglia postgraduate research application page. Informal enquiries are welcome by email to [email protected].
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants should have at least the UK equivalent of a Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 degree. English language requirement for the Faculty of Science equivalent is IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category. Applications are welcomed from students across the biological sciences with an interest in multidisciplinary research.
How to apply
Apply through the University of East Anglia postgraduate research application portal. Review the project details carefully before submitting your application. Informal enquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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Professors
Professor at University of East Anglia
United Kingdom
Research Interests
Microbiology
Antibiotic Resistance
Gene Transfer
Protein-protein Interaction
Biology
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