PhD Microbiology: The University of Manchester

Course description

PhD programmes are based on individual research projects that last 3 or 4 years, working with a specific academic supervisor (principle investigators). Applicants are specifically matched with a principle investigator based on their research interests and background.

Microorganisms play pivotal roles in everyday life from elemental cycling and the production of food to life threatening infections of man and animals. At Manchester there are two main research topics - Molecular Bacteriology and Molecular Mycology. Molecular Bacteriology is focussed on studying bacterial pathogens of man in both the host and the environment and includes the following areas:

• the role of bacterial polysaccharides and glycoconjugates in disease
• attachment of pathogens and biofilm formation
• structural biology of cell surface proteins in bacterial pathogens
• adaptation of intracellular bacterial pathogens to life inside the cell
• plasmid segregation and maintenance
• adaptation of pathogens to heavy metals
• molecular ecology of agricultural and contaminated soils
• ecology and evolution of microbial populations.

Molecular Mycology is exploiting genomic approaches to study the following areas:

• understanding protein secretion in filamentous fungi and yeast
• drug resistance in fungal pathogens of man
• fungal developmental biology
• genome structure.

Career opportunities

In terms of career progression, the majority of their postgraduate students remain in research, while others move into related areas such as education, information technology, consultancy and management, helped by the  comprehensive skills training they gain during their programme of study.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

The standard entry requirement for PhD study is a First or Upper Second class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject. In certain circumstances, a Lower Second class honours degree supplemented by a Masters degree, or appropriate relevant work experience, may be acceptable.

English language:

For PhD applicants whose first language is not English an IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL 577 (paper based), TOEFL 233 (computer based) or TOEFL 90 (internet based) is required as a minimum.