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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

Biophysics of bacterial cell death

Research environment

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. 

Training and development

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. 

Project description

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. 

Funding

This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.

Eligibility and applying

Applicants must be:

- Chinese students with a strong academic background.
- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.
- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.
- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.

Please refer to the CSC website 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. Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2023 for consideration, 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 CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.

Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by the advertised deadline with the support of the project supervisor.For September 2023 entry, applicants must complete the CSC application on the CSC website between 10th March - 31st March 2023. Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme.

For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html

Apply Online

References

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.2021.04.001
3. 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

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