PhD Studentship: Investigating mechanisms of cell-to-cell spread of persistent viruses

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in the Department of Pathology, to start in October 2027. The project will explore how herpesviruses and polyomaviruses promote spread within the host while evading immune detection.

Applicants must meet UK Home fees and language requirements, with a closing date of 2 December 2026. Funding will cover the stipend at the current Research Council rate and Home University Fees for 4 years.

Qualifications

• Applicant should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK upper 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject.
• The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.
• By the time of interview all potential students must have fulfilled the language requirements for admission.
• Closing date: 2nd December 2026.

Education

UK upper 2:1 honours or Master’s degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Many viruses establish long-term or life-long persistent infections. To be maintained within their hosts, these viruses must be able to spread to new uninfected cells in the face of an active immune response to them. How such viruses balance the need to spread within their host organism while evading detection and possible clearance is not well understood. This project seeks to understand the mechanisms by which members of two diverse types of viruses (herpesviruses and polyomaviruses) promote their efficient spread from one cell to the next. Such important steps in the viral life cycle could be good targets for intervention.

The Department of Pathology has an excellent reputation in pure biological and biomedical research and is offering fully funded* studentships from October 2027 to work with one of the Research Group Leaders in this large and vibrant Department.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date of the studentship.

The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK HOME FEES ONLY Please check for eligibility details using this website: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees/what-my-fee-status

Funding will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and Home University Fees. The studentship will be funded for 4 years from October 2027.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK upper 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.Additionally, the Department requires that by the time of interview all potential students must have fulfilled the language requirements for admission.

(http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpapdpth/requirements)

Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Applications from ineligible candidates will not be considered.

Closing date: 2nd December 2026

Please quote reference PK51390 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.