Work and train with us

The generation and analysis of genome sequencing data is rapidly becoming a commonplace requirement in microbiology research laboratories and clinical and public health microbiology laboratories. However, many microbiologists shy away from incorporating genomics into their research or lab practices, feeling that extensive skills in bioinformatics are required to analyse such data.

This 5-day course is designed to provide microbiologists with the ability to perform high-level analysis of microbial genomic data sets, regardless of background knowledge or ability. A mixture of seminars from world leading researchers, discussion fora and guided hands-on training will provide participants with the skills and knowledge required to plan, design, and analyse data from microbial genomics based investigations, be they fundamental research or public health epidemiological investigations.

Find out further information on our CPD course and how to apply.

We are proud to host a large number of independent research fellows at IMI.  Supporting early-career researchers as they establish their independent research groups is a core aspect of what we do.  Our Future Fellows scheme provides a forum for individuals who wish to apply for independent research fellowships to meet other like-minded individuals and to receive first class mentorship and support from senior colleagues within their field.

We welcome expressions of interest throughout the year.  We hold several ‘Future Fellow Seminars’ per year, providing an opportunity to discuss your current research and future plans during a visit to IMI.  To learn more, please email an expression of interest and your CV to Rachel Howes -  r.howes@bham.ac.uk  or, for informal academic enquiries, please contact Prof David Grainger (d.grainger@bham.ac.uk)

We have a fabulous, vibrant community of PhD students who have joined IMI from across the world to investigate challenges ranging from drug design to pathogen epidemiology.  Many UK/EU students join IMI via one of our Doctoral Training Programmes funded by the Wellcome Trust, BBSRC or MRC.  You can find out more about these schemes here:

Find out more about MIBTP 

Find out more about MRC IMPACT 

Applicants outside of the EU can apply for funding via our dedicated Darwin Trust scheme (for non-EU citizens, or EU citizens who are not UK residents) please see Darwin Studentships for more information. 

Alternatively, many of our international students hold their own fellowships from schemes such as the Islamic Development Bank, China Scholarship Council or similar organisations.  If you are a talented international student with a strong CV and an interest in joining IMI, please send a short CV and statement of your research interest and details of the group(s) you are interested in to imi@contacts.bham.ac.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Our MSc programme in Microbiology and Infection builds on our broad, world-leading research expertise.  Students on this programme receive an unrivalled training in fundamental microbiology, disease pathogenesis and novel therapeutic/preventative strategies.  There is a strong focus on cutting-edge research throughout, focusing on new approaches to global problems and providing students with a research-intensive training within one of the largest microbiology institutions in Europe.

Our pioneering IMI summer school provides talented year 12 students with the opportunity to get hands on microbiology laboratory skills and receive cutting-edge lectures from our microbiology experts. During this one week course students will develop key laboratory skills including how to safely work within a laboratory environment, how to isolate microbes from the environment and how to identify them. They will collaborate with clinical scientists from the NHS to learn about antimicrobial resistance and how to determine whether specific bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. In parallel they will conduct their own experiments to test how DNA is transferred between different bacteria and how this results in antimicrobial resistance. In addition to these laboratory skills, the students will also be able to develop networking skills as they will be interacting with students from a variety of schools and a diverse range of researchers from within IMI.

The IMI summer school has been hugely successful in previous years - it takes place in the last week of July and applications are open from February to April (PLEASE NOTE Summer 2020 applications have been postponed).

BactiVac catalyst funding

Catalyst funding is available to support training opportunities and exchanges, prioritising those involving LMIC members and academic/industrial partners, for the transfer of knowledge and skills in bacterial vaccinology.

Up to £6,000 per award is available and each training visit is expected to be up to three months in duration.

The aim of this funding scheme will be to support members to train in vaccine research and development (R&D), targeting the main preclinical to clinical area of focus for BactiVac. 

This scheme will be run up to August 2021. Successful applications could include ones that:

• Offer opportunities for both UK and LMIC members to undertake a bilateral exchange, to foster reciprocal relationships between BactiVac members.
• Address key skills gaps within an LMIC, academic or industrial partners’ institution.

All awardees will be expected to provide a short report following the completion of their training, for inclusion in BactiVac Network outcomes and publicity in accordance with our Privacy Policy, and to assess progress.

How to apply

The call for applications is an open call, you can apply at any time. We will aim to have a decision back to you within three months of application being submitted. Please submit your application form and associated documents to the BactiVac Admin Team on bactivac@contacts.bham.ac.uk  

Applicants will need to be members of the Network to be eligible to apply. The allocation of funding will be decided by the Network Operations Management Group (NOMG) and findings reported at the Annual Network Meetings. 

Follow us @BactiVac using the hashtag #BactiVacFunding. You can also download BactiVac Catalyst Training flyer to circulate and/or display within your organisation. 

BactiVac Catalyst Funding for Pump-Priming Projects - Round 5

Round 5 of BactiVac Network catalyst funding for pump priming projects is now OPEN. Funding is available to support our members in bacterial vaccinology to explore new approaches and strategies to advance their vaccines in partnership with LMICs and industry, and acquire the data to support substantive funding applications. Submission deadline for applications is Sunday 16 May 2021, 23:59 (UK time).

Full details about the call are available on our website: BactiVac Catalyst Pump Priming Projects.

Pump-priming training opportunities supported are highlighted in 'Funded Work'.

For more details and regular updates, please follow BactiVac on Twitter @BactiVac using the hashtag #BactiVacFunding. You can also download BactiVac Catalyst Funding flyer to circulate and/or display within your organisation. For all queries, please email:  bactivac@contacts.bham.ac.uk