PhD Studentship - Understanding the Relationship between the Maternal Microbiome and Fetal Growth Restriction

Number of Opportunities Available: 1

Primary supervisor – Prof Mark Webber

The microbes which live as part of our microbiomes can play important roles in our health. One example of this is in developing babies where recent evidence has shown that the mother’s microbiome is associated with fetal growth and babies showing fetal growth restriction are commonly seen in mothers with placental inflammation.

This project will document the differences in the microbial communities between mothers who deliver healthy and abnormally small babies as well as identifying functional changes distinguishing these communities. Work will also aim to identify microbial biomarkers of fetal growth restriction and understand how communities change in different groups of mothers.

The project will combine metagenomics, informatic analysis and offer an outstanding experience in clinical research. You will join a vibrant team and have excellent opportunities to develop a unique set of skills.

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

 or alison.mather@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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