DPhil Studentship in Learning and Controlling Cellular Dynamics

Laplace Apply; Oxford; Remote; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home tuition fee coverage

GBP 21,805 stipend per year

Job summary

University of Oxford offers a DPhil research studentship in Learning and Controlling Cellular Dynamics, spanning 3.5 years in Oxford. The project combines control theory, synthetic biology, and cellular dynamics under supervisors Harrison Steel and Antonis Papachristodoulou.

Funding includes home tuition coverage plus a GBP 21,805 annual stipend; international fee support is conditional. Start planned for October 2027, with application by 2 December 2026 at 12:00 GMT.

Qualifications

• Strong mathematical and programming skills.
• Excellent English communication.
• Ability to connect quantitative theory with experiments.

Skills

Quantitative methods

Programming

English communication

Education

First-class degree or strong upper-second (or equivalent) in engineering or related field

Job description

DPhil Studentship in Learning and Controlling Cellular Dynamics

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

Apply by 02 Dec 2026

About This Opportunity

University of Oxford offers DPhil Studentship in Learning and Controlling Cellular Dynamics in Oxford, focused on control theory, synthetic biology and cellular dynamics.

The University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science offers a DPhil research studentship investigating how cellular dynamics can be modelled, learned and controlled. The advertised project sits at the interface of control engineering and synthetic biology, with supervisors Professors Harrison Steel and Antonis Papachristodoulou. Possible research directions include mathematical models for engineered cell behaviour, automatic feedback design, microbial systems and laboratory automation. The research aims to connect quantitative theory and experiments to controllable living systems, with the balance of methods refined during doctoral study.Candidates should have a first-class or strong upper-second undergraduate degree or equivalent in engineering, materials science, computer science, physics, biology/biotechnology, chemistry/biochemistry, mathematics or another relevant discipline and strong English communication. The planned start is October 2027. Compensation or funding: Home tuition fee coverage plus approximately GBP 21,805 annual maintenance stipend for 3.5 years; overseas fee support is conditional. Stated appointment or programme length: 3.5 years. Application timing: 2 December 2026 at 12:00 noon GMT.Who This Opportunity Is Best Suited For: Applicants who combine quantitative methods, programming or control theory with curiosity about microbial biology are particularly aligned, though the call accepts entry from multiple physical and life-science disciplines.Potential Challenges / Who May Find It Less Suitable: Funding covers Home-rate tuition and stipend; international applicants are not automatically guaranteed the international fee difference and should contact supervisors first. The multidisciplinary work requires willingness to move beyond prior disciplinary training.Overall Opportunity Assessment: The project’s distinguishing feature is coupling the design of biological systems to feedback control and quantitative modelling, with explicit conditional funding restrictions by fee status.

Control theory, synthetic biology and cellular dynamics

Level PhD

Duration 3.5 years

Field Control Engineering and Synthetic Biology

Specialization Biotechnology

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount GBP 21,805 / Per Year

Funding Type Stipend

Period Per Year

Tuition Coverage Partially Covered

Stipend Yes

Requirements

• Education: Candidates should have a first-class or strong upper-second undergraduate degree or equivalent in engineering, materials science, computer science, physics, biology/biotechnology, chemistry/biochemistry, mathematics or another relevant discipline and strong English communication.