PhD Studentship: Microswimmers with Autonomous Propulsion Inspired by Biology and Designed with Physics

University of Surrey - Physics

Are you fascinated by working at the intersection of physics and synthetic biology? This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to develop autonomous microswimmers, which are bioinspired structures at the micrometre scale that can propel themselves through fluids, mimicking natural swimming organisms such as bacteria forms.

Using biological building blocks found in cells and encapsulating them inside vesicles, you will engineer and investigate synthetic microswimmers capable of generating propulsion forces, uncovering the new fundamental principles that govern their movement. The physics of swimming on these small length scales is fundamentally different to that when we swim. By characterizing their swimming dynamics and the mechanical deformations caused by the encapsulated active biomolecules, you will explore ways to control their motion in 3D space.

Synthetic microswimmers have many potential biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery and non-invasive medical treatments. The swimmers could take drugs right up to cancerous cells.

This project offers hands-on training in cutting-edge techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, microfluidics, and biomolecular encapsulation. You will collaborate with leading scientists at the University of Surrey and international research partners (Prof. Yutaka Sumino, Tokyo, Japan), gaining exposure to both theoretical and experimental aspects of the field. Opportunities for lab visits abroad will further enrich your research experience. You will be part of a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment, working closely with physicists, biologists, and engineers. You will also have the opportunity to present your research at international conferences, expanding your network and gaining valuable experience in scientific communication.

Supervisors: Dr Isabella Guido and Dr Richard Sear

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

Starting in July 2026. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Isabella Guido once deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate with a background in physics, biophysics, biological physics, or bioengineering. This PhD project will primarily focus on experimental research, which will include data analysis and there is scope for modelling of the swimmers. The ideal candidate will have a passion for interdisciplinary research at the intersections of physics and biology. Due to the requirements of the funding organisation, only UK-based students can be selected.

The candidate must meet the minimum requirements for our PhD programme.

Applications will be considered on a rolling base.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the PhD Physics programme page.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding

Fully and directly funded for this project only. UKRI standard stipend - £20,780 per year for 2025/26 academic year. Funded for 3.5 years.

Application deadline:15 May 2026

Enquiries

Contact Dr Isabella Guido

Ref:PGR-2526-007