PhD Studentship: AMR pathogens in cystic fibrosis: Development of host-relevant models and discovery of antibiotic combinations

Supervisory Team:

Dr Joanna Bacon (UKHSA Porton Down), Prof Sumeet Mahajan (UoS)

PhD Supervisor: Sumeet Mahajan

Project description:

Background: 

The project directly addresses the urgent need for new drugs to treat AMR pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium abscessus in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Mycobacterium abscessus is intrinsically resistant to many drugs, thanks to its physiology and to the acquisition of new mechanisms of drug resistance. Little is known about the phenotype of M. abs and its interaction with other bacterial species, particularly P. aeruginosa, in this niche.  Very few new compounds or drug combinations for the treatment of M. abs are in preclinical and clinical development. Therefore, new regimens of antibiotics are urgently required that can successfully treat M. abs but also other bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa, in the CF lung.

This is a 4-year PhD co-funded by CISDnS and UKHSA. The PhD is jointly supervised by Dr Joanna Bacon at UKHSA Porton Down and Prof. Sumeet Mahajan at the University of Southampton (UoS). The student will be registered at UoS and will be based at UoS for the first year for attending modules and training in spectroscopic/imaging methodologies. During years 2-4, the student will be based at Porton Down to develop in vitro co-culture models, perform drug experiments, and characterise biofilms. In years 2-4 the student will also spend up to 40% of their time (travel/stay up to 1-2 months) at UoS to conduct analyses of biofilms using Raman spectroscopy and multimodal imaging/confocal microscopy.

Essential and desirable criteria:

The successful applicant will have enthusiasm to carry out this split-site PhD studies (as outlined above) and be willing to travel regularly between the two sites. We invite applications from candidates with a good understanding of bacterial physiology/genetics and antimicrobial resistance, statistics, and an enthusiasm for mycobacterial research. Experience in some aspects of bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility assays is desirable as are skills in molecular biology, such as cloning, whole genome sequencing and/or RNA analyses. Enthusiasm for learning new analytical techniques is essential and some exposure to spectroscopy and imaging is desirable.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or a 2:2 supplemented by a Master’s qualification

Closing date: 15 July 2024. 

Funding an enhanced stipend of £24,237(2024-25) is offered by Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS). As well as research training, CISDnS will provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach.

How To Apply

Apply online, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD CDT CISDnS (Full time)”.

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the supervisor name Prof Sumeet Mahajan

Applications should include:

• Covering letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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