3-year funded PhD position: Engineered microbial biosensors as non-invasive reporters of gut disease
Apply by July 10th 2026
Key words: Synthetic Biology, Engineering Biology, Biosensing, Microbiome, Gut Disease
Overview:
We are seeking a PhD student to join our team at the Riglar Lab (www.riglarlab.com) to work on an exciting project developing and testing engineered gut microbes as non-invasive biosensors of inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
The trillions of microbes that make up the human gut microbiome have been increasingly recognised for their central roles in health and disease. Alterations to the microbiome are linked to metabolic disease, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Engineered microbes represent an exciting frontier for disease understanding.
The Riglar lab undertakes interdisciplinary research seeking to understand the dynamics of host-microbiome interactions during disease. We utilise a combination of synthetic biology, imaging, protein engineering and sequencing- based approaches to apply engineered bacterial tools for monitoring and control of the gut microbiome. We apply these tools in complex in vitro communities and animal models.
In this project, we will develop and apply engineered bacterial biosensors for non-invasive monitoring of the gut. A key aspect of the project will be optimising acoustic reporter genes – genetically encoded gas vesicles that can be detected by ultrasound. The studentship will form part of a broader multi-lab collaborative project investigating the optimisation and deployment of acoustic reporter strains in animal models of disease. A willingness to work with rodent models is desirable but not essential.
You will join an inclusive research team with a focus on both scientific achievement and personal growth (www.riglarlab.com/our-philosophy). We are based in the Section for Structural and Synthetic Biology within the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London’s vibrant South Kensington Campus in central London. We are also affiliated with the Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation and The Francis Crick Institute.
Funding for the studentship (to the level of UK home tuition fees) is available immediately. An exact start date is flexible throughout mid-late 2026 and will be arranged with the successful candidate.
Key References:
Robinson et al. 2025. Mol Syst Biol
Carreno et al. 2026. bioRxiv
Buss et al. 2025. Nat Commun.
How to apply:
Please send your CV and a covering letter describing why you are suitable for the studentship and interested in the project and lab, along with the details of two referees to Dr David Riglar d.riglar{at}imperial{dot}ac{dot}uk by July 10th 2026.
Student Eligibility:
The studentship is funded for 3 years and covers home tuition fees and a stipend commensurate with UKRI rates (£23,805 per annum from 1 Oct 2026). International students may also be eligible, but must demonstrate an ability to cover the difference between home and international fee rates at the time of application.
Applicants must have, or expect to gain, a First or Upper Second-class undergraduate degree in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology or other related field. A Masters degree is desirable but not required. Additional relevant laboratory experience will also be taken into consideration. Applicants are also required to meet Imperial College’s English language requirements. Please see the following link: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/requirements/english/ .
We strongly encourage applications from women and those from a diverse set of backgrounds that are currently underrepresented within academic research. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
For further details on the role please contact: Dr David Riglar – d.riglar{at}imperial{dot}ac{dot}uk