PhD Studentship - How has Staphylococcus Capitis NRCS-A Become a Globally Successful Pathogen?

Number of Opportunities Available: 1

Primary supervisor – Prof Mark Webber

How does a Superbug evolve?

Bacteria are key parts of the human microbiome, and we carry as many bacterial cells as our own representing hundreds or thousands of species in any individual. These bacteria have a large impact on our health and can also cause disease making understanding how they adapt and evolve to live with us critical. One group of important bacteria are the coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) which commonly live on our skin and can occasionally cause disease. CoNS are constantly evolving in response to pressures of selection from other bacteria and host defences. One strain of Staphylococcus capitis, a common CoNS known as NRCS-A has been found to have become adapted to neonates. This strain is carried by neonates and is now common in neonatal intensive care units throughout the world where it can cause deadly infections. It is unclear why NRCS-A has become more successful than other strains of S. capitis although it has been shown to have develop the ability to live in the gut as well as the skin. This project will study why NRCS-A has become a globally successful pathogenic strain in neonates.

The project will use cutting-edge molecular and bioinformatic approaches and utilise a unique bacterial strain collection we have assembled. You will join a large community of molecular microbiologists within the Quadram Institute in a brand new, purpose built building with state of the art facilities. The Quadram Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park - home to the Centre for Microbial Interactions, one of the largest groups of microbiologists in europe with a collaborating group based on site within the University of East Anglia. The project offers an outstanding training experience provided by a world class suprervisory team in an exemplary environment.

Informal enquiries can be made to mark.webber@quadram.ac.uk 

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 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.

Closing Date: 14/04/2025

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

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