PhD Studentship - Cracking the Host-Pathogen Metabolic Code in Tuberculosis: Discovering New Therapeutic Strategies

Overview

The University of Exeter is offering a PhD studentship titled Cracking the Host-Pathogen Metabolic Code in Tuberculosis: Discovering New Therapeutic Strategies, based in Biosciences on the Streatham Campus. The project is one of those competing for a place among up to 18 MRC-funded studentships offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme across biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2027.

Tuberculosis remains one of the world's leading infectious killers, and new treatments are urgently needed. The project will explore how the body's own cells could be used to fight TB by targeting lipid metabolism. The student will investigate oxysterols and oxylipins, specialised molecules that regulate immune responses and that Mycobacterium tuberculosis may also exploit as nutrients. Building on the team's discovery of a novel immunomodulatory compound, the student will determine how it reprograms host lipid pathways to boost immunity and clear infection. Using lipidomics, zebrafish models and clinical samples, the research aims to identify innovative therapeutic strategies.

Who can apply

The four-year studentships are open to UK and international students.

What you get

The studentship covers UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council national minimum, £21,805 per year for 2026/27, updated each year. Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per year is also available.

How to apply

Applications are made through the university's online application route.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026, and the studentship starts in October 2027.