PhD Microbiology and Infection

Our PhD/MSc by Research in the Institute of Microbiology and Infection will provide you with the necessary skills to contribute to research of viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria. With one of the largest groupings of microbiologists in the world we are at the vanguard of innovative research into combatting antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance.

We do this with a three-pronged approach:

• diagnosis
• treatment
• prevention

You will work collaboratively alongside microbiologists, immunologists, biochemists and chemists to produce original globally leading research, with the ultimate goal to find solutions to global challenges.

Our PhD/MSc by Research program will provide you with high quality research training to enable you to conduct independent investigative research. We work with a range of bacterial and viral pathogens and study mechanisms of pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, pathogen transmission and drug resistance.

As one of the largest communities of microbiologists in Europe, the Institute of Microbiology and Infection offers unrivalled opportunities to build a research career. You will work closely with your supervisory team who will help you clarify your project and support your development. Your thesis will represent an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate independent judgement.

Employability

The University of Birmingham is the The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2016. This coveted accolade places Birmingham as the UK’s number one university for securing a graduate-level job. We have a global reputation for producing sought after graduates and are:

• 4th for employability in the Guardian University Guide 2017.
• the 11th most targeted university by leading employers in the 2016 High Fliers Graduate Market report.
• ranked as 65th in the world for employer reputation by QS World University rankings.
• listed as 12th in the UK in The Global Employability University Ranking 2016. The rankings illustrate the top 150 universities most frequently selected by global employers.

In the College of Medical and Dental Sciences our average Graduate Employability rate is 97% since 2012. A high proportion of our postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Postdoctoral Researcher, Teaching Fellow, Research Fellow within the University and local NHS hospitals as well as moving into pharmaceutical and research and development sectors.