PhD Studentship - Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms Behind Iron and Siderophore Uptake in Pathogenic Bacteria

Award Summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £20,034. Support for research costs is also available. 

Overview

Iron is essential for bacterial cells to grow and replicate. Bacteria rely on iron scavenged from their environment for survival and its availability is particularly critical during infection, where the host sequesters iron to hamper pathogen proliferation. Under such iron-limiting conditions bacteria secrete small molecules called siderophores that can capture ionic forms of iron and subsequently transport the iron loaded siderophores inside the cells. Siderophores also function as bacterial virulence factors and influence microbial communities and ecological dynamics. Due to their essential nature as scavengers of iron, siderophores are very attractive vehicles for the transport of antimicrobial compounds. Chemical fusion of antibiotics to siderophores allows for targeted delivery into cell using the bacterium's own transport machinery. By understanding the molecular details of siderophore transport my group aims to devise novel antimicrobial compounds. 

This PhD studentship will focus on the siderophore transport pathways of the clinically important human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The project will use chemical-genetic screens to identify novel pathways in siderophore and iron uptake with a focus on membrane transporters. Mechanistic insights into the function and specificity of these transporters will be studied using other microbiology, biochemical and structural biology techniques.  

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

15th September 2025

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

30/04/2025

Sponsor

The Royal Society

Supervisors

Dr Kesha Josts and Dr Manuel Banzhaf 

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to biomedical sciences, including biochemistry and microbiology. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous. This studentship is only available to applicants with a Home fee status (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). 

How To Apply

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal (via the 'Apply' button above)

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:  

• you can search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8420F  
• select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)' as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section:  

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form  
• The studentship code BI098 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert - you do not need to upload a research proposal. 

 In addition, before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation:  

• covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code BI098 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project   
• degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed.  

Contact Details

For more information contact: kesha.josts@newcastle.ac.uk 

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