Engineering Biology: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Unlocking Fungal Biosynthetic Potential to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance Swansea University in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD studentship at Swansea University, in partnership with the University of Bristol, offers an exciting opportunity to address the urgent global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through cutting-edge research in fungal biosynthetic pathways. The project is part of the BBSRC SWBio Doctoral Training Programme and is open to both UK and international applicants, with flexible study options including full and part-time modes.

AMR threatens human health, agriculture, and food security worldwide, largely due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. The discovery of new bioactive compounds, especially antibiotics derived from fungi, bacteria, and plants, is critical to combatting this crisis. Fungi are renowned for producing potent secondary metabolites (SMs) such as penicillin, lovastatin, and ciclosporin. Recent advances in genome sequencing and bioinformatics have revealed that fungal genomes contain numerous biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) capable of producing novel SMs, many of which remain unexpressed under standard laboratory conditions.

This multidisciplinary project focuses on unlocking the biosynthetic potential of the filamentous fungus Escovopsis weberi, isolated from the leaf-cutter ant ecosystem. E. weberi thrives in competitive microbial environments and produces SMs with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Genomic analysis suggests the presence of many unexplored BGCs, but progress has been limited by a lack of genetic tools and detailed chemical profiling. The research will develop new tools to activate these cryptic gene clusters using heterologous expression in host strains such as Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1.

Students will employ microbiological, chemical, and genetic techniques to express BGCs and produce novel compounds. Analytical methods including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), purification, structural elucidation via MS and NMR, and antimicrobial screening will be used to identify and characterize promising compounds. The project also involves protein studies to understand the biomolecular assembly of biosynthetic pathways, providing comprehensive training in microbial fermentation, genetic engineering, natural product chemistry, bioinformatics, protein purification, and protein assays.

The studentship is based in Swansea University’s Department of Biosciences, with the first year taught in Bristol and subsequent years split between Swansea and partner institutions. The collaborative environment offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in both biosciences and chemistry. The SWBio DTP is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, offering reasonable project adaptations and flexible working arrangements to ensure accessibility.

Funding includes full tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25), a £16,000 Research Training and Support Grant, and a £1,920 fieldwork budget for conferences and placements. Applicants should hold or expect a first or upper second class degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or biotechnology. Experience or interest in microbiology, genetic engineering, chemical biology, or drug discovery is desirable.

To apply, visit the FindAPhD project page or Swansea University’s application portal, prepare your CV, transcripts, and a cover letter, and contact the supervisors for informal inquiries or to discuss project adaptations. The application deadline is 3 December 2025, with the project commencing on 1 September 2026.