PhD Studentship - Gut Bacterial Adaptation to Disease and Inflammation

Primary supervisor – Dr Falk Hildebrand 

We are looking for a motivated and computationally interested student, to work on a bioinformatic project on cutting-edge metagenomics and clinical translation. In this PhD project, you will explore the evolution of the gut microbiome and changes in the epithelium in patients with Inflammatory Bowels Disease (IBD). To enable this, you will develop new methods for high-resolution metagenomics and work with population genetics theory. This will cumulate in a new understanding of host-microbial interactions through acclimatization and adaptation, that will be validated in additional cohorts.

The project is a collaboration between the Quadram Institute (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and Imperial College London. If you are interested in metagenomics, understanding the disease association of bacteria in the human gut, in-depth work with next-generation as well as 3rd generation sequencing technologies, then this PhD will be right for you. Ideally you will enjoy learning about metagenomic sequencing and researching disease in patient cohorts, working with machine learning techniques and programming computers. You will learn about different flavors of metagenomic sequencing, how to analyze and interpret this data and use it to describe dysbiotic microbiomes.

Visiting international conferences and training courses as well as exchanges with international collaborators are part of student training. You will be supervised by Dr Hildebrand (QIB, EI), Prof Papatheodorou (EI) and Dr Korcsmaros (QIB, Imperial College London) in a collaboration centered at the multinational Norwich Research Park (NRP). The location hosts a vibrant and active research community and multiple startups, conveniently located adjacent to the University of East Anglia (UEA). Norwich is a mid-sized historical, medieval city with a large student community, situated at the Norfolk coast with an active pub and coffee scene. For further information and to apply, please visit our websites: https://quadram.ac.uk/about/student-opportunities/how-to-apply/ or https://www.falk.science/

The Microbes, Microbiomes and Bioinformatics (MMB) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is open to UK and international candidates with relevant undergraduate degrees for entry in October 2025 and offers the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded 4-year PhD research project supported by the UKRI Medical Research Council in microbiology and microbial bioinformatics.

Our unique and comprehensive training programme empowers students to feel comfortable running sophisticated computer analyses alongside laboratory work and emphasises problem-based learning in microbial bioinformatics, professional development and research skills. All MMB DTP students undertake a Professional Placement.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May 2025.

The MMB DTP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Students are selected without regard to age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or social background. We value curiosity, independence of thought, plus an aptitude for research that combines laboratory work and bioinformatics.

For information on eligibility and how to apply: www.uea.ac.uk/phd/mmbdtp

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year fully-funded studentship including direct payment of tuition fees to the University, stipend for living expenses (2025/26 rate: £20,780) and a Research Training Support Grant for each year of the studentship.

Please complete your application via the ‘Apply’ button above.

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