Postgraduate research in microbial sciences
Research in the Department of Microbial and Cellular Sciences, together with biomedical research in the Faculty, was ranked third in the country in the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008). Over 65 per cent of our research activity was rated world leading or internationally excellent, and over 95 per cent at an international standard. We welcome talented PhD students to work with us.
PhD
Programme
We value our PhD students – their research education is important to us because they will become the academics, researchers, medical and health care professionals and policy makers of the future.PhD students are initially registered for a probationary period and proceed to full PhD registration after one year, subject to a successful upgrade viva. Students will be expected to demonstrate original thought and a capacity for critical evaluation. The research towards a PhD would normally take approximately three years, with a further year to write the PhD thesis and take the viva voce exam. The University and the Faculty provide a programme of training in generic, transferable skills, as well as research skills, as these are clearly important for the future employment prospects of our graduates.
www.surrey.ac.uk/microbial
Entry Standards
Candidates should have a good honours degree (Upper Second) in an appropriate discipline, but prior experience in research or industry may be acceptable. Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, independent study is essential, as is a good command of the English language. Please contact the Faculty Graduate School to discuss your experience and qualifications.
Funding
There are funding opportunities such as Faculty research scholarships and research council scholarships. These and other scholarships are advertised as and when they become available on the Faculty Graduate School website: www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/gradschool
Fees
UK/EU students - £3,828
Overseas students 2011/12 entrants onwards - £14,440
Overseas students pre 2011/12 entrants - £13,780
Find out more about our fees and funding policies.
Apply now
Programme length
33–48 months full-time
45–96 months part-time
Start date
1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July
Director of the Faculty Graduate School
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 689730
E: fhms_gradschool@surrey.ac.uk
Microbial Sciences research overview
Research
The aim of the Department of Microbial and Cellular Sciences is to study biological processes in micro-organisms at the physiological and molecular level. Academics in the Department are engaged in research that uses systems biology techniques to investigate problems relating to microbial bioproduct formation and bacterial and viral pathogenesis in humans and animals, alongside appropriate immunological studies. Microbial genera currently under investigation include the Mycobacteria, Streptomyces, Neisseria and Campylobacter, as well as the Caliciviruses. Virology studies centre around interactions with the host ribosomal apparatus. Prokaryote studies employ genome-wide mutagenesis, genome-scale metabolic networks, transcriptomics and proteomics. We are well equipped for these studies and have recently acquired a BIOLOG system.
Research environment
The Department of Microbial and Cellular Sciences has access to the Faculty core technology programme, to support and fund equipment-intensive research technologies and to promote their use in multidisciplinary research. It encompasses functional genomics (microarray printing, genomics, transcriptomics), bioinformatics (data mining, systems biology, pathway modelling, fluxomics), proteomics (2D-PAGE, ICAT, MudPit, MALDI-TOF), metabolomics (GC-MS-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS) and imaging (laser scanning confocal, fluorescence, fluorescence inverted and FRET microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, in situ hybridisation). In addition, biomedical research is supported by NMR facilities and animal facilities, including dedicated suites for transgenic work. The Faculty also has all of the standard analytical equipment you would expect in a biomedical faculty to support the subject disciplines. In addition, within the Department, there is project-specific equipment that is utilised for animal behavioural studies, electrophysiology and molecular biology.
Microbial Sciences research themes
Infection and Immunity
The focus of our research is the molecular and cellular basis of important human and veterinary infectious diseases. Our research recognises the importance of studying the host and the pathogen as an integrated dynamic system. Our activities demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach to research, interweaving state-of-the-art molecular and imaging technologies with computational modelling of cellular interactions. Similar systems-based approaches are also being applied to the optimisation of biotechnology processes such as antibiotic production in Streptomyces. The ultimate goal of our programme is the development of new drugs and vaccines to combat infectious diseases.
www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/research/infectiousdiseases
Materials and Nanobiology
This multidisciplinary theme brings together active academic researchers in chemical sciences, biosciences, engineering, electronics and ethics, all focused on the application of functional nanomaterials at the physical and life sciences interface.
www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/research/materialsandnanoscience
Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Metabolism
This multidisciplinary theme focuses on the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The theme brings together scientists and physicians with expertise in cell and molecular biology, immunology, physiology, nutrition and appetite regulation, drug development, chemistry and the regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms. Research aims to translate this understanding into effective treatment with improved nutrition regimes, drug treatment which targets the underlying abnormalities and the development of diagnostic methods including molecular bio-markers.
www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/research/cardiovascular
Apply for postgraduate research in microbial sciences
PhD Programme
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