Research PhD Studentships

1. PhD Studentship: Evolution of Enzymes for Future Foods   

Start: September 2025. Duration: 4 years. Funding: Fully funded. 

Where: Modern multinational laboratory in Shanghai. English supervisor.

Deadline: Closing date 15th January 2025. However, note that decisions will be made on a rolling basis and selection will close when all available places are filled. 

Advances in enzyme technology have enabled the development of new tools and approaches to manipulate food texture and nutrition. Two PhD research studentships are available in the International Research Centre for Food and Health at Shaghai Ocean University, to study the evolution of enzymes for use in the production of future foods. To achieve this the successful candidates will receive training in modern methods of synthetic biology and enzyme engineering, food science, and molecular and structural biology. You will be based in International Research Center for Food and Health of the College of Food Science and Technology at Shanghai Ocean University. The Center has excellent facilities for cutting edge research in enzyme engineering, structural and molecular biology, and microbiology. The working language of the laboratory is English and current students are drawn from countries across the world.  

These are 4 year studentships fully funded by the China Scholarship Commission. Suitably qualified individuals will have a strong interest in antimicrobial resistance and will hold, or expect to hold, a minimum Masters degree, preferably at Distinction. They must also have published at least one paper in a SCIE journal. Candidates may come from any of a range of disciplines including, but not restricted to, chemistry, biochemistry, biological chemistry, food science or microbiology. 

Interested candidates should send a cv and covering letter, plus at least two referees’ reports to andrew@shou.edu.cn. Please add the word ENZYME to the subject line of your email message. Informal enquiries are welcome.

2.PhD Studentship: Biofilms - From Structure-Function Studies to Antimicrobial Discovery 

Start: September 2025. Duration: 4 years. Funding: Fully funded.

Where: Modern multinational laboratory in Shanghai. English supervisor.

Deadline: Closing date 15th January 2025. However, note that decisions will be made on a rolling basis and selection will close when all available places are filled. 

Antibiotic resistance is a continuing major threat to public health. The treatment of many clinically relevant pathogenic bacteria pathogen has become increasingly difficult due to their capacity to resist antibiotics. The most persistent and dangerous infections by several of these organisms are associated with an ability to form a complex 3D colony known as a biofilm.

Two exciting PhD research studentships are available in the International Research Centre for Food and Health at Shanghai Ocean University, to study the molecular mechanisms of biofilm exopolysaccharide synthesis, editing and transport. This will form the basis for discovery of inhibitory compounds with potential for development as antimicrobials. To achieve this the successful candidates will receive training in modern methods of molecular and structural biology, including X-ray crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy, microbiology and drug lead discovery. The successful applicants will be based in the International Research Center for Food and Health at Shanghai Ocean University. The Center has excellent modern facilities for cutting edge research in structural and molecular biology, and microbiology. The working language of the laboratory is English and current students are drawn from countries across the world.  

These are 4 year studentships fully funded by the China Scholarship Commission. Suitably qualified individuals will have a strong interest in antimicrobial resistance and will hold, or expect to hold, a minimum Masters degree, preferably at Distinction. They must also have published at least one paper in a SCIE journal. Candidates may come from any of a range of disciplines including, but not restricted to, chemistry, biochemistry, biological chemistry or microbiology. 

Interested candidates should send a cv and covering letter, plus at least two referees’ reports to andrew@shou.edu.cn. Please add the word BIOFILM to the subject line of your email message. Informal enquiries are welcome.