PhD Studentship: Engineering the Microenvironment to Curb Antifungal Resistance and Limit Fungal Infections UCL in United Kingdom

[Stipend at UKRI rate.]

Project Overview: This PhD studentship at University College London (UCL) offers an exciting opportunity to address the urgent global health challenge of antifungal resistance. Fungal infections impact over a billion people annually, posing serious risks especially to immunocompromised individuals. With limited antifungal drugs and rising resistance, this project aims to engineer the fungal microenvironment to weaken resistance mechanisms and improve the effectiveness of current treatments.

Research Focus: The project will manipulate stress responses in fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans to convert resistant strains into drug-sensitive ones. This interdisciplinary research integrates synthetic biology, molecular biology, and biochemical engineering to develop sustainable, non-pharmacological antifungal therapies. Key methods include developing laboratory models of fungal growth and resistance, investigating environmental stress factors (osmotic and nutrient stress), and using high-throughput screening and biofilm models to identify conditions that reduce multidrug resistance (MDR). The project also aims to build a systems-level understanding of how these mechanisms can be applied in biotechnology, healthcare, and environmental contexts.

Training and Development: The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in microbial cultivation, molecular cloning, quantitative data analysis, process optimisation, and advanced synthetic and molecular biology techniques. The programme emphasises research design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scientific communication, preparing students for careers in academia, biotech innovation, or translational healthcare.

Research Environment: The studentship is based in UCL’s Department of Biochemical Engineering, renowned for its collaborative and interdisciplinary research culture. Students will be co-supervised by Dr. Duygu Dikicioglu and Prof. Eli Keshavarz-Moore, experts in microbial systems engineering and antifungal biology. The department offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant research community, fostering innovation and translational research with opportunities for collaboration across life sciences and engineering.

Eligibility: Applicants should have a background in molecular biology, microbiology, or biochemical engineering. Experience with microbial systems and non-yeast fungi is desirable, as is an interest in antifungal resistance and drug development. No specific GPA or language test requirements are mentioned.

Funding: The studentship provides a stipend at the UKRI rate.

Application Process: Applications should be submitted via the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance by 12th January 2026. For further details and instructions, visit the application link provided.