PhD Studentship - Phage Power: Optimising Treatments for Bacterial Co-Infections

Overview

This PhD project at the University of Exeter, hosted by the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, studies phage therapy for infections caused by more than one bacterial species. As antibiotic resistance threatens modern medicine, phage therapy is emerging as a new approach. Phages are naturally occurring viruses that selectively destroy harmful bacteria, which offers hope where antibiotics fail.

A major open challenge is how to use phages when several bacterial species are present at once, and whether eliminating one pathogen might unintentionally allow another to flourish. The PhD will uncover when such risks arise and develop strategies to optimise phage therapy for co-infections, helping to unlock its potential as a next-generation antimicrobial treatment.

What you get

The project is part of the MRC-funded GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme and starts in October 2027. Funding covers UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council national minimum, which is 21,805 pounds per year for 2026/27 and is updated annually. Up to 5,000 pounds per year is also available for research training and support costs.

Who can apply

The programme is open to UK and international students.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026.