PhD Opportunity – EASTBIO: Developing a Small Molecule Discovery Pipeline for Invasive Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Infections
Project Title:
EASTBIO: Developing a Small Molecule Discovery Pipeline for Invasive Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Infections
Supervisor(s):
Principal Supervisor: Dr Jaclyn Pearson (University of St Andrews), [email protected].
Co-supervisors: Dr Megan Bergkessel (University of Dundee), [email protected] and Dr Marie Chattaway (UK Health Security Agency), [email protected].
Deadline:
Friday 17 January 2025
Project Description:
The University of St Andrews is offering an exciting PhD opportunity to develop a small molecule discovery pipeline targeting invasive multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella infections. This interdisciplinary project integrates microbiology, genomics, and drug discovery to address the urgent need for novel therapeutics. The student will join the School of Medicine and collaborate closely with Dr. Megan Bergkessel at the University of Dundee, leveraging her expertise in bacterial persistence, and the Drug Discovery Centre at Dundee, which offers cutting-edge facilities for small molecule screening and medicinal chemistry. Additionally, the project will leverage unprecedented access to Salmonella clinical isolates and genomics expertise from Dr. Marie Chattaway at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Research Aims and Methodology
This project seeks to identify and characterise new therapeutic candidates targeting MDR Salmonella. Using a combination of bacterial genetics, high-throughput screening, and advanced bioinformatics, the student will:
1. Develop and validate relevant Salmonella infection models to test small molecules.
2. Perform high-throughput screening to identify lead compounds with antibacterial or host-directed activity.
3. Investigate the genomic and epidemiological context of target resistance mechanisms in clinical isolates, guided by UKHSA resources.
Research Training
This PhD offers exceptional training in:
• Microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interaction assays.
• Advanced high-throughput screening technologies.
• Genomics and bioinformatics for analysing resistance mechanisms.
• Drug discovery, including compound characterisation and mechanism-of-action studies.
In addition, the student will gain transferable skills in project management, scientific communication, and collaborative research. Training placements at the University of Dundee and UKHSA will further enrich their experience.
Supervision and Environment
The successful candidate will be supervised by experts across the University of St Andrews, the University of Dundee, and UKHSA, providing a supportive and multidisciplinary research environment. St Andrews offers a vibrant academic community and access to state-of-the-art research facilities, while the collaboration with Dundee and UKHSA ensures a real-world impact for this critical research. This PhD is an excellent opportunity for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in microbiology, drug discovery, or genomics to make a significant contribution to tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Funding Details:
This 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
This opportunity is open to UK and International students and provides funding to cover stipend at UKRI standard rate and UK level tuition fees. The University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference.
How to Apply:
Application instructions can be found on the EASTBIO website – https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply.
1) Download and complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey.
2) Download and complete the EASTBIO Application Form.
3) Submit an application to St Andrews University through the Online Application Portal.
Your online application must include the following documents:
- Completed EASTBIO application form.
- 2 References (to be completed on the EASTBIO Reference Form, also found on the EASTBIO website).
- Academic Qualifications.
- English Language Qualification (if applicable).
Unfortunately, due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please make sure your application is complete by 17th January 2025.
Contact:
Queries on the project can be directed to the project supervisor.
Queries on the application process can be directed to Rachel Horn at [email protected].
UKRI eligibility guidance: Terms and Conditions: View Website International/EU: View Website.