Research programmes
Competition Funded PhD Projects (Students Worldwide)
GW4 BioMed MRC Doctoral Training Partnership PhD Studentships
The GW4 BioMed is a collaboration between Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter Universities. This partnership aims to develop the next generation of medical researchers by offering studentships to both medical and non-medical UK, EU and International students across four strategic research themes.
Artificial intelligence to identify fungal susceptibility in the clinical diagnostic laboratory
About the Project
Fungal infections have become a major and growing global health crisis, causing an estimated 3.8 million deaths each year—surpassing the toll of diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. These infections disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as people with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS, cystic fibrosis, cancer patients, and organ transplant recipients. The problem is compounded by the rise of drug-resistant fungal strains and the lack of effective diagnostics and treatments, especially in low- and middle- income countries. Climate change and global travel are also contributing to the emergence and spread of new, more resilient fungal pathogens. Addressing this neglected threat requires urgent investment in research, improved diagnostics, wider access to antifungal medicines, and global collaboration to reduce the burden of fungal diseases.
The antimicrobial management of patients with bloodstream infections is considered time critical, and in an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the accurate and rapid identification of the agent of infection and its susceptibility to antifungal drugs is essential to successful clinical resolution. However, susceptibility test results, either by microbroth dilution or by E-test, can take up to 3 days to turn around from microbiological culture. Recent research has demonstrated direct gene sequencing approaches to clinical diagnostics based on marker gene mutations involved in specific resistance mechanisms, but fungal strain heterogeneity currently limits the sensitivity of these relatively costly approaches.
The project is suitable for a student who comes from a variety of academic backgrounds, and the supervisory team is experienced in interdisciplinary working. The project will be tailored to the student: we will also consider those with a mathematical/computational background open to learning skills in bioinformatics and laboratory work, or those with a biological/biomedical background who desire skills in basic programming, data science and machine learning.
Further details and how to apply
Applications close 5.00pm Wednesday, 21st October 2026
Hidden codes: Genetic Determinants of HIV-1 Fitness and Immune Recognition.
About the Project
HIV-1 remains one of the world's most significant infectious diseases, with an estimated 38 million people living with the virus globally. Among the many HIV-1 subtypes, Subtype C (C-HIV) is the most prevalent, accounting for almost half of all infections worldwide and dominating epidemics in regions such as Southern Africa, India and Ethiopia. Despite its global importance, it remains unclear why this subtype has become so successful compared with others. Understanding the biological and genetic factors that underpin its spread could provide important insights into HIV transmission, evolution and future strategies for prevention and treatment.
This PhD project will investigate the genetic determinants that contribute to the transmission and fitness of non-subtype B HIV viruses, with a particular focus on C-HIV. Building on discoveries from a major Medical Research Council (MRC)-funded programme that identified genetic signatures associated with successful transmission of HIV-1 subtype B, the project will extend these findings to the most globally relevant HIV variants and explore whether similar mechanisms drive their success.
This project is ideally suited to applicants from biological, biomedical, virological, computational or related disciplines who are interested in tackling a major global health challenge. By combining genomic science with experimental virology, the project will provide an exceptional opportunity to contribute to our understanding of HIV transmission and the factors that have driven the remarkable global success of HIV-1 Subtype C.
Further details and how to apply
Applications close 5.00pm Wednesday, 21st October 2026
Self-funded PhD opportunities
Applications accepted all year round
There are two PhD opportunities available and more information can be found via the links below:
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For further information, please contact: Beatriz.vidana@bristol.ac.uk |
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Developing hybrid AI on wearables and video for fine-grained cattle behavioural monitoring For further information, please contact: andrew.dowsey@bristol.ac.uk |
How to apply:
Before applying, please carefully read the information on the prospectus Veterinary Sciences | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol and make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the documents listed in the PhD and MSc by Research Veterinary Sciences Admissions Statements. A research statement and supervisor support form are not required – please add a blank sheet of paper when these documents are requested.
To apply for this project go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply and on the “Start your application” page select ““Veterinary Science (PhD) (4yr)”. Select Sept 2026 start.
Contacts: please contact fohs-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk with any queries about your application.
Self-funded MScR opportunities
From mother hens to commercial farms: Investigating links between welfare and the microbiome in chickens
About the project
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Conflict, and Security
About the project
Animal disease outbreaks as "human tragedies": to what extent do government-led animal disease control interventions impact the occurrence and severity of domestic abuse and gender-based violence in affected farming communities in the UK?
About the project
A novel 3Rs Refinement-friendly approach to study the effects of early life stress on mice behavioural development
About the project
Start date
Not fixed, but in order to fully benefit from the induction process we encourage students to start in September each year
How to apply
Before applying, please carefully read the information on the prospectus Veterinary Sciences | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol and make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the documents listed in the PhD and MSc by Research Veterinary Sciences Admissions Statements. A research statement and supervisor support form are not required – please add a blank sheet of paper when these documents are requested.
To apply for any of these projects go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply and on the “Start your application” page select “Veterinary Science (MSc by Research)”.
Funding Notes
These Masters by Research projects are available to UK and international students who wish to self-fund their studies or who have access to their own funding. See Postgraduate research tuition fees | Current students | University of Bristol for tuition fees. For these particular projects no bench fees are charged.
Contacts
Please contact fohs-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk with any queries about your application