PhD Studentship: Structural and Functional Characterisation of Mycobacterial Outer Membrane Proteins

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) starting at £19,237 (24/25 rate). International candidates will be required to fund the difference between home fees and international fees.

Overview

Every year mycobacterial pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide.

Mycobacteria are surrounded by a complex cell envelope comprising an outer-membrane rich specialised lipids. This barrier acts to restrict the import and export of nutrients and proteins across the cell envelope. We still know very little about the proteins and transport systems residing in the mycobacterial outer membrane.

This project aims to identify, isolate and characterise membrane transport systems from mycobacteria using a multi-disciplinary approach combing structural biology with molecular microbiology to elucidate transport mechanisms.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 15^th September 2025

Award duration: A three-year PhD

Sponsor: Newcastle University – Faculty of Medical Sciences  

Supervisors

Dr. Kate Beckham  

Professor Tracy Palmer 

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to biomedical sciences, including biochemistry/microbiology. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.

• This award is available to home and international applicants. Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between home fees and international fees. 
• Successful EU applicants will be considered for the Vice-Chancellor’s EU Research Scholarship 
• English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill. 

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal.

In the ‘Course choice’ tab:

• Select ‘Postgraduate Research’ in the 'Type of Study' field  
• Select ‘Full Time’ in the ‘Mode of Study’ field  
• Select ‘2025’ in the ‘Year of Entry’ field  
• Enter programme code 8420F in the ‘Course Title’ field  
• Leave the ‘Research Area’ field blank  
• Press ‘Search’  
• Select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)’  
• Save selection  

In the ‘Further Details’ section:  

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form, quoting the studentship reference code BI076, and stating the title of the studentship, and how your interests and experience relate to the project.  
• The studentship code BI076 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’, and type in the title of the research project from this advert (No need to upload a research proposal). 

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section: 

• Upload your CV

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. 

Contact details: kate.beckham@newcastle.ac.uk

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