Funding
Funding is often secured through Wellcome Trust or MRC DTP Fellowships. Further information about this and specific projects studying under the supervision of Departmental supervisors who have obtained funding are advertised below.
For up-to-date information on tuition fees, please refer to the College's Fees and Funding pages. It should be noted that supervisors may charge an additional ‘bench fee’ from sponsors to cover the costs of laboratory expenses (consumables and equipment) for postgraduate research projects.
Funded PhD position: Synthetic biosensors to understand the gut microbiome
Hosted by Dr. David Riglar, Section for Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London
We are seeking a PhD student to join our team at the Riglar Lab (www.riglarlab.com) on an exciting project engineering microbes as sensors and modulators of the gut microbiome and gut disease.
The trillions of microbes that make up the human gut microbiome have been increasingly recognised as central players in health and disease. Alterations to the microbiome are linked to infection, metabolic disease, neuro-inflammatory disorders and cancer. Engineered microbes represent an exciting frontier for disease understanding. They are also an untapped resource for medical interventions.
Our lab broadly undertakes interdisciplinary research seeking to understand the dynamics of host-microbiome interactions during disease. We utilise a combination of synthetic biology, imaging, protein engineering and sequencing- based approaches to develop engineered bacterial tools for monitoring and control of the gut microbiome. We apply these tools in complex in vitro communities and animal models. This project will develop and apply engineered bacterial biosensors to understand the dynamics of complex microbial communities during health and disease. The position may include working with rodent animal models.
You will join an inclusive research team with a focus on both scientific achievement and personal growth (www.riglarlab.com/our-philosophy). We are based in the Section for Structural and Synthetic Biology within the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London’s vibrant South Kensington Campus in central London. We are also affiliated with the Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation and The Francis Crick Institute.
The project is projected to start in fall 2024, but there is flexibility on specific dates.
How to apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter describing why you are suitable for the studentship and interested in the project and lab, along with the details of two referees to Dr David Riglar d.riglar@imperial.ac.uk by 6th September 2024.
Student eligibility: The studentship is funded for 3.5 years and covers home tuition fees and a stipend commensurate with UKRI rates (currently £21,237 per annum). Applicants must have, or expect to gain, a First or Upper Second-class undergraduate degree in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology or other related field. A Masters degree is desirable but not required. Additional relevant laboratory experience will also be taken into consideration. Applicants are also required to meet Imperial College’s English language requirements.
For further details on the role, please contact: Dr David Riglar – d.riglar@imperial.ac.uk and download the full advert: Funded PhD position: Synthetic biosensors to understand the gut microbiome
PhD Studentship in Antibody evolution
Award
An opportunity has arisen for a 3.5-year PhD studentship at Imperial College, funded by the EPSRC. This is a joint project supervised by Prof John Tregoning (Department of Infectious Disease); Dr Francesco Aprile (Department of Chemistry) and Dr Barbara Bravi (Department of Maths). It is an extremely exciting time for the control of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV); after nearly 70 years with extremely limited options to prevent infection, there are now 3 vaccines and a new antibody.
The major target for RSV neutralisation is the Fusion (F) protein. This is a trimeric surface glycoprotein that has 2 structures pre- and post- fusion. RSV-F has 6 neutralising epitopes (numbered sites Ø through V), of these sites I, II, and IV are found on both pre- and post-fusion forms and Ø, III and V only on the pre-fusion form. To do this we will compare three approaches: In vivo antibody generation (Tregoning lab); In vitro designed antibodies (Aprile Lab) and In silico, AI antibody design (Bravi lab).
This collaborative project will provide opportunities for the student to learn a wide range of techniques including immunology in vivo and in vitro; protomer design: the chemical biology of epitope engineering and AI tools for health. The hypothesis is that it is possible to design antibodies that are more potent than those that occur naturally following infection or immunisation. The student will spend time in all three labs generating 3 sets of antibodies and then compare them head-to-head for neutralisation in vitro and in vivo against current circulating strains of RSV virus.
- Home fees provided for 36 months (find out more). Funding for overseas fees is not provided.
- A tax‐free stipend (£20,622 in 2023-24) for 42 months.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold (or obtain by Oct 2024) a first or upper-second-class honours degree or equivalent in a Life Sciences or health‐related discipline. A Master’s degree in immunology or a related field is desirable.
- Prior experience in bioinformatics is desirable but not essential. Applicants must also meet Imperial College’s English language requirements.
- All Imperial College London PhD entry requirements must be met and the successful applicant will subsequently need to apply online.
Application
- Applicants should submit their CV and a cover letter, including full contact details of two referees, to Prof John Tregoning (john.tregoning@imperial.ac.uk).
- We look forward to receiving applications from all candidates and will select those who display the potential to become world-leading researchers of the future based on their application and performance at an interview.
- For further information about the research or queries about the application process please contact John Tregoning (john.tregoning@imperial.ac.uk). We regret that due to the large volume of applications received, we are only able to notify those shortlisted for interview.
- The deadline to apply is 28 June 2024.
The President’s PhD Scholarship
Award
- Full funding for tuition fees
- A stipend of £25,150 per annum to assist with living costs
- A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
- A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School
Eligibility
- Includes First Class UK degree or equivalent. If a Master's is held, it must be awarded with Distinction
- The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible to be considered for a President's PhD Scholarship
- The Department will consider outstanding overseas applications, but these must first be approved by the Department.
-
Prior to applying - Applicants must have made contact with a supervisor who has agreed to supervise their research project. Supervisors are limited to supervise one student at any time. Once you have a supervisor who has agreed to support you, please email Mojiba Khanum m.khanum@ic.ac.uk so your PhD scholarship application can be prioritised for review and shortlisting.
Application
- There is not a specific scholarship application form. You should submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through the online admissions system and the department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential. Queries about the online admissions system should be referred to the relevant Admissions team.
- Prior to applying applicants must have made contact with a supervisor who has agreed to supervise their research project. Supervisors are limited to supervise one student at any time.
- Full details are available on The President’s PhD Scholarship application section.
Read more about our current PhD funding opportunities
Imperial College’s Scholarships Search Tool
Other scholarships may be available for students with particular track records and nationalities, and it is advised that this tool is used to help search for available scholarships.