PhD in Plant Protection Products as Accidental Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance in Agriculture (BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience DLA Programme, CASE Project)
This fully funded PhD position at the University of Sheffield, offered through the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP), investigates the role of plant protection products (PPPs) as accidental drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agriculture. AMR is a growing global health threat, and farms are recognized as significant environmental reservoirs for resistant bacteria, which can enter food chains and water systems. The project addresses the emerging issue of increased use of recycled waste products in agriculture, which often contain antibiotics and resistant microbes. While regulations focus on input contamination, recent evidence suggests that post-entry processes in soil may be even more critical. Notably, PPPs like glyphosate may select for AMR through cross-resistance or by enhancing horizontal gene transfer, potentially driving the spread of resistance genes in agricultural environments. The research will explore cross-resistance mechanisms between PPPs and antibiotics, monitor soil microbial community responses using sequencing and soil chemistry analyses, and assess how different PPP treatment regimes interact with low-level antibiotic contamination to influence resistance evolution. The project employs advanced techniques in microbiology, experimental evolution, molecular genetics, genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and environmental chemistry. Students will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary research group at the interface of molecular and evolutionary microbiology, soil science, and sustainable agriculture, with opportunities for professional development and an internship at FERA. The YBDTP provides a supportive, inclusive environment and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds. The studentship covers a four-year period, including a tax-free stipend, research costs, and tuition fees at the UK rate. International applicants are eligible for a limited number of full studentships. Applicants should have or expect at least an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant science or mathematics field. The application deadline is 7 January 2026, and the process includes shortlisting and interviews. For more information, visit the YBDTP website or contact the supervisors.
