CODE-M PhD

About the project

The Control and Design of Bioengineered Microbial Cells and Systems

Fully funded PhD studentships

The Control and Design of Bioengineered Microbial Cells and Systems (CODE-M) PhD Programme is training the next generation of microbial bioengineers to tackle global challenges in health, prosperity and environmental sustainability.

From engineered biotherapeutics that treat infection and cancer, to microbial communities that protect crops, improve nutrient fixation and turn waste into valuable feedstocks, microbial bioengineers are designing and translating sustainable technologies for global benefit.

The programme - open to home-fee eligible applicants - offers motivated and inquisitive postgraduate researchers with the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills, drive innovation and join the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of engineering biology.

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Related pages:

• Why apply
• Projects
• Eligibility
• How to apply
• Key dates
• Keep up-to-date
• Contact us
• Funding and fees
• Understanding funding
• Funded programmes
• Fees and costs
• Other funding support

About the CODE-M PhD

CODE-M is a fully funded PhD programme funded by UK Research and Innovation which brings together The University of Manchester, the University of Liverpool and a diverse range of industrial partners.

As a CODE-M postgraduate researcher, you’ll join a centre of excellence for microbial bioengineering in the North West, working on innovative, multidisciplinary projects that address real-world challenges.

You’ll train alongside experts in synthetic biology, microbiology, microbiome science, biotechnology, omics, health, sustainability and environmental science and benefit from world-class facilities at both institutions.

Why apply for the CODE-M PhD?

Fully funded studentship

Fully funded studentship

Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate.

World-leading bioengineering expertise

World-leading bioengineering expertise

Benefit from world-leading bioengineering expertise of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, with the combined research excellence of Manchester and Liverpool spanning microbiology, ecology, evolution, genomics, infection, host-associated microbiomes, environmental microbiomes, fungi, mobile genetic elements and phages.

Collaborative and diverse community

Collaborative and diverse community

Join a diverse cohort of postgraduate researchers across Manchester and Liverpool, build networks and share expertise throughout your joint training and interdisciplinary research projects.

Comprehensive training

Comprehensive training

Join a globally-unique training programme in microbial bioengineering and benefit from strong links with regional and national innovation hubs which will enhance your training and development.

Engage in bespoke training in microbial bioengineering design and control, including a structured first year of cohort-based learning and collaborative rotation projects.

Innovation, policy and enterprise workshops

Innovation, policy and enterprise workshops

Take part in workshops on responsible research and innovation, policy and regulation, and commercialisation—including intellectual property, life-cycle assessment and entrepreneurship training delivered with Manchester Innovation Factory and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre.

Industry engagement

Industry engagement

Benefit from industry knowledge exchange, technology and collaboration through co-developed CASE projects, placements, training workshops, and annual events co-organised with BioNow.

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Discover a CODE-M project you're passionate about

Projects for 2027/28 entry will be advertised soon.

The programme offers cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries of microbial bioengineering to deliver solutions for global challenges.

Each project will develop microbial biotechnologies tackling one (or more) of the following challenges:

Projects will be co-supervised by multidisciplinary teams of supervisors with a portion of projects being co-developed with external industry project partners.

Interested in more than one project? You can apply for up to two projects as part of this programme.

Please note, we are unable to provide information about projects before they are advertised.

In the meantime, visit our projects page to browse all currently live projects from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Browse all live projects

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• Biomedicine
• Clean Growth
• Food Systems
• Environmental Solutions

Entry requirements

Competition for studentships is expected to be high.

These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home fees only and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate.

Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.

Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Manchester.

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Step-by-step guide to applying

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry soon.

Want to be considered for a Control and Design of Bioengineered Microbial Cells and Systems (CODE-M) PhD programme studentship?

Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide.

Check you’re eligible

Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme.

More about eligibility and entry requirements

Find a project

Browse all of our CODE-M projects and discover one you're passionate about which matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

Interested in more than one project? You can apply for up to two projects as part of this programme. If you wish to apply for two projects, you must submit a separate application for each, including a supporting statement tailored to the specific project.

Contact a supervisor

Found a CODE-M project you're interested in? Reaching out to your potential supervisor and speaking to them about their project is your next step. This is one of the most important things you need to do before you apply.

Learn more about contacting a supervisor

Prepare your supporting documents

When applying, you'll need to provide supporting documents including:

A research statement is not required for this programme.

All supporting documents must be uploaded as part of your online application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Learn more about supporting documents

• Supporting statement
• Reference details: Your referees will be sent an automatic reference request once you submit your application. Please ask them to respond as soon as possible, as you cannot be nominated without these references.
• Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts: If you are currently enrolled on a Master’s programme and do not yet have an interim transcript, please provide alternative proof of enrolment (for example, an offer letter).
• Official English language certificates (if applicable): Applicants are not required to meet the English language requirements at the point of application. However, if successful, any offer made will be conditional upon the completion of an approved English language test (such as IELTS) and achievement of the required standard.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Apply online

Found a project?

Apply online

When completing your application ensure you use the following details:

For the funding section you should select:

Leave the remaining boxes blank

Further information on applying and what you need to include can be found on our ' How to apply ' page.

Learn more about applying

• Level of study: Postgraduate Research
• Entry year: 2027/28
• Intake: September
• Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
• Type of funding: Research Council
• Awarding body: UKRI
• Status of funding: Awarded
• Funding covers: Fully Funded

What happens next

After you’ve applied, your application and the supervisors you’ve selected will be reviewed by our panel.

The panel will assess applications and invite potential candidates to interview.

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Dates for 2026/27 entry

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• Applications open: TBC
• Application deadline: TBC
• Interviews take place: TBC
• Offers confirmed: TBC
• Studentships begin: October 2027

Sign-up for updates

Be the first to know when CODE-M PhD Programme projects go live and other funding opportunities open.

By joining our mailing list you’ll also receive our monthly newsletter for prospective applicants with featured projects, upcoming events, and application tips.

Register your interest

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Have any questions? Get in touch.

If you have any questions about our CODE-M PhD programme, contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team by emailing fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk .

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Research areas