About the Project
A fully funded PhD opportunity to participate in the world-leading research undertaken by the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award at the University of Sheffield.
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
Supervised by Dr Esther Karunakaran and Dr Stephen Ebbens.
The University of Sheffield is one of the leading Russell Group universities in the UK. We carry out cutting-edge research with strong links to industry. When you enrol to do a PhD with us, you will be working with world-leading academics and have access to top of the range facilities. As a PhD student you will have the opportunity to gain skills not only to conduct research, but also to take your career to the next level, whether you want to stay in academia, go into industry or the public sector, or set up your own company. You will have access to a range of training and support services to help you excel in your studies and beyond.
Project Description
This 3.5-year studentship offers an attractive opportunity to undertake research at the interface between biology and physics. The project aims to better understand how microbially derived nanoparticles called extracellular vesicles move within the human body.
Extracellular vesicles contain many of the same biological components that are present in the microorganisms they are derived from. However extracellular vesicles, unlike microorganisms, cannot replicate. This makes them well-suited for safe application as vaccine candidates. Better control over movement of extracellular vesicles in the human body can increase their safety whilst ensuring a robust immune response leading to effective protection against microbial infections.
Nearly 5 million people die every year due to infections from microorganisms that have become resistant to treatment with many existing antibiotics. Vaccination can prevent this crisis from escalating. Your findings will contribute important knowledge that will help the design of safe vaccines that stop the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
This project will involve extensive training in microbiology, biochemistry, mass spectrometry-based proteomics in addition to training in nanoparticle characterisation. You will be part of a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering and benefit from the research groups’ national and international collaborations within industry and academia.
How to apply
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.
Please refer to the EPSRC DLA webpage for detailed information about the EPSRC DLA and how to apply. Applicants must ensure that they use the correct application form linked to the EPSRC DLA webpage and must submit an application for October 2027 entry. The form is unique to the EPSRC DLA. It contains the list of advertised projects from which to select, and three questions specific to the DLA.
The application deadline is 17:00 GMT 13 January 2027.
The majority of our DLA studentships will be allocated to candidates who qualify for Home fee status, in accordance with EPSRC funding regulations which place strict limits on international recruitment.
Funding Notes
The award will fund the full tuition fee and a maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £21,805 per annum) for 3.5 years, as well as a research grant to support costs associated with the project.