Life Sciences PhD in Biochemistry: Investigating the regulation of intrinsic antimicrobial resistance in an emerging pathogen (2023)

What you get

This School-funded position covers Home (UK) tuition fees and a stipend at standard UKRI rates for 3.5 years. Applicants with overseas fee status will need to fund the difference between Home and International tuition fees (approx. £18k per year).

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Investigating the regulation of intrinsic antimicrobial resistance in an emerging pathogen

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global public health threat, where currently used antibiotics are ineffective. In contrast to acquired antibiotic resistance, which involves mutation of targets or the gain of resistance genes via horizontal gene transfer, intrinsic resistance refers to the innate ability of bacteria to withstand usually lower levels of antibiotics. This is clinically relevant, and can lead to extended drug regimes, or even treatment failures.

This project aims to investigate intrinsic antibiotic resistance in the nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) Mycobacterium abscessus, which is a growing cause of intractable infections in patients with underlying lung disease such as cystic fibrosis. We are particularly interested in the regulatory mechanisms that switch on or off genes involved in antibiotic tolerance, in response to stress, such as nutrient limitation and oxidative stress. While such transcriptional responses are observable through next-generation sequencing experiments, the actual mechanisms involved are very poorly understood. Through an understanding of such mechanisms, we hope to identify new routes to combat this emerging multi-drug resistant pathogen.

The funded project is a collaboration between the Paget (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p117009-mark-paget) and Waddell  (www.bsms.ac.uk/dr-simon-waddell) labs at the University of Sussex

and will involve a wide variety of molecular biology, microbiological and bioinformatic techniques, for which the student will receive training in a supportive and friendly environment. The student will be encouraged to suggest their own ideas and propose their own testable hypotheses, which will help them to develop into a highly competitive candidate for postdoctoral research.

Eligibility

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in molecular biology or microbiology. 

Eligible applicants will hold a 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject - Entry requirements

Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section - English language requirements

Deadline

15 February 2023 23:45

How to apply

Please submit a formal application using the online admissions portal attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, personal statement and two academic references.

On the application system select Programme of Study – PhD Biochemistry. Please state the project title under funding and the supervisor’s name where required.

Contact us

For queries about the application process, please see the online application guide or contact Emma Chorley: lifesci-rec@sussex.ac.uk

For enquiries about the project, please contact the supervisor: m.paget@sussex.ac.uk