PhD Studentship – (Bangor University, 2025)
A fully funded 3-year PhD studentship is available starting 1st October 2025 in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Bangor University, focusing on:
"Listen to the Cell Breathe: Investigating Viral Infection in Real-Time with Nano-Vibration Detection and Super-Resolution Imaging."
This project is funded by the Royal Society APEX Award (with support from the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, and Leverhulme Trust) and Bangor University's Wynne Humphrey Davies Fund.
The project will develop advanced nano-imaging and nano-sensing technologies, enhanced by AI-driven analysis, to probe dynamic processes at the cellular and nanoscale level. It will deliver new insights into viral infection mechanisms, supporting applications in diagnostics, biotechnology, and phage research.
Funding will cover the full cost of UK tuition fees, a full tax-free stipend of £18,423 per annum, and additional support for training, equipment, and conference travel.
The student will join Bangor University's School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE) and collaborate closely with the School of Natural Sciences. The project offers an exciting cross-disciplinary training opportunity in photonics, AI, and biological sciences.
Note: Applicants must state the project title "APEX Award PhD Studentship – Listen to the Cell Breathe" in their application form (see Application section for details).
The Supervisory Team
* Prof. Zengbo Wang (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University)
* Dr. Ellie Jameson (School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University)
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have at least a 2:1 Bachelor's Honours degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related subject.
Desirable experience includes:
* Nano-imaging and sensing methods
* Optical or vibration detection technologies
* AI/machine learning for imaging and sensing
* Additional background in biology, microbiology, or biomedical sciences
Applicants must have excellent written and spoken English and demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Eligibility: For UK applicants only. To qualify as a UK applicant, prospective students must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years immediately prior to the start of the award, with no restrictions on how long they can remain in the UK. Overseas applicants are not eligible.
Application
To apply for this PhD studentship at Bangor University (2025 intake), applicants must complete Bangor's PhD Direct Application process via the online portal: and include the following information:
* Important: All applicants must clearly state the project title "APEX Award PhD Studentship – Listen to the Cell Breathe" in their application form. Applications without the project title may not be correctly directed to the supervisory team.
* An up-to-date CV evidencing relevant experience
* A short personal statement (max 500 words) explaining the applicant's motivation for applying and how their academic background makes them a suitable fit for this PhD project
* A research proposal document (max 1500 words) providing more detailed information, including specific examples of the applicant's past work, research skills, and experience that demonstrate their suitability for the project. This does not need to propose a new project, but should demonstrate alignment with the advertised PhD topic.
* Academic certificates and transcripts
* Details of two academic references (referees must be aware of the deadline)
Deadline and Interviews
* Application deadline: 29th September 2025
* Interviews: 30th September 2025
* Start date: 1st October 2025
* In exceptional circumstances, late applications may be considered at the discretion of the supervisory team.
Contact
For informal enquiries, please contact:
* Prof. Zengbo Wang – Email:
* Dr. Ellie Jameson – Email:
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £18,423.00 per year
Work Location: In person