The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
PhD project titled "Biophysics of bacterial cell death" will be conducted in the group of Dr Nikola Ojkic, based in the Mile End campus of Queen Mary University of London. Members of Ojkic’s group use experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to investigate biophysical principles of bacterial cell shape and size control. Ojkic's group is particularly interested in the biophysics of bacterial adaptation to environmental stress and how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
The prospective student will develop theoretical and computational skills in the field of cell biophysics. The prospective PhD student will allso have a unique opportunity to develop experimental microbiology and imaging skills and will have a chance to interact with other national and international experimental groups through different collaborative projects.
This studentship is open to students applying for CONACyT funding. CONACyT will provide a contribution towards your tuition fees each year and Queen Mary will waive the remaining fee. CONACyT will pay a stipend towards living costs to its scholars. Further information can be found here: https://conacyt.mx/convocatorias/convocatorias-becas-al-extranjero/
Please refer to the CONACyT website here: https://conacyt.mx/convocatorias/convocatorias-becas-al-extranjero/ for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree or a masters degree in an area relevant to the project – mathematics, physics, biophysics, and/or computer science. A masters degree is desirable, but not essential.
A strong mathematical, physical, and computational background and interest in biological systems are required.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Nikola Ojkic at n.ojkic@qmul.ac.uk.
Applicants will need to complete an online application form by this date to be considered, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the project supervisor. Those who are successful in their application for our PhD programme will be issued with an offer letter which is conditional on securing a CONACyT scholarship (as well as any academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements).
Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CONACyT for the scholarship as per their requirements and deadlines, with the support of the project supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CONACyT can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme.
Apply Online
1. Ojkic, Serbanescu, Banerjee: “Antibiotic resistance via bacterial cell shape-shifting”, mBio, 13 (3) e00659-22 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00659-22 2. Ojkic, Banerjee, “Bacterial cell shape control by nutrient-dependent synthesis of cell division inhibitors”, Biophysical Journal, 120, 2079-2084 (2021)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2021.04.0013. Ojkic, Serbanescu, Banerjee, “Surface-to-volume scaling and aspect ratio preservation in rod-shaped bacteria”, eLife, 8:e47033, (2019)https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.47033