Department of Chemistry

PhD Studentship in Microbiology

Fees (Home) , Fees (International) , Maintenance
3.5 Years (Fixed Length)
Prospective applicant
PhD
Full Time, Part Time
02 Nov 2026
December - February
2027/28

About

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship (home or international) in microbiology under the supervision of Professor Erwin Reisner within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. The studentship targets the top candidates worldwide to join our international research team and on a 4-year scholarship starting in October 2027.

The Reisner Laboratory develops innovative technologies to convert solar energy into sustainable fuels and organic platform chemicals for a circular economy using a unique cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach.

Working with and learning from an experienced team of cross-disciplinary scientists, the PhD student will engineer live cells to convert carbon dioxide and other feedstock chemicals into bespoke complex chemicals. In a collaborative project, these cells will be interfaced with light harvesting semiconductor systems that will provide the feedstock chemicals consumed by the cells to enable semi-artificial photosynthesis of organic chemicals. This research will thereby develop biohybrid technologies with the outcomes to be published in top tier academic journals. 

More information about the laboratory and project can be found here: 

For any queries, please contact Gioia Gregori at pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk.

Award details

3.5 Years (Fixed Length)
Fees (Home) Fees (International) Maintenance
1
2027/28
No
Academic merit

Eligibility

Prospective applicant
PhD
Full Time Part Time
Department of Chemistry
Department / School

We invite applications from candidates who hold, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first-class Master's or honours degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry or a closely related discipline. 

Application Process

No

Applicants should submit the following documents by email to pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk:

  1. A cover letter outlining their motivation for applying and describing their specific research interests.
  2. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
  3. Full academic transcripts.

In addition, applicants must submit a formal application, including reference letters, via https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/pgapp/how-apply.

Key dates

02 Nov 2026
December - February