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PhD in Gut Microbiome, Psychiatric Drug Interactions and Mental Health Resilience University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
The project is competition funded. Specific stipend and tuition-fee details are not stated in the provided content.
Deadline
Dec 18, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton
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About this position
This interdisciplinary PhD will investigate how psychiatric drugs interact with the gut microbiome and how those interactions may influence mental health resilience and treatment response in defence personnel.
The project will move beyond observing changes in microbial communities to define drug–microbe interactions at cellular and molecular levels. You will study which gut microorganisms interact directly with psychiatric compounds, identify their molecular targets and investigate the pathways through which these interactions alter microbial function.
Your research will combine chemical synthesis of labelled psychiatric drugs with microbiome models, flow cytometry and metagenomic sequencing. Proteomics and transcriptomics will be used to uncover molecular mechanisms. Clinical psychiatry expertise will contribute patient samples, interpretation of results and assessment of their clinical relevance.
You will work across Biological Sciences and Chemistry with support from Clinical Sciences, gaining interdisciplinary experience in microbiology, microbiome science, chemical biology, molecular biology and multi-omics. The project aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of drug–microbiome interactions and their potential implications for personalised mental health treatment.
Funding details
The project is competition funded. Specific stipend and tuition-fee details are not stated in the provided content.
What's required
Applicants should hold a 2:1 honours degree. The project involves interdisciplinary training in microbiology, microbiome science, chemical biology, molecular biology and multi-omics, so relevant academic preparation and interest in these areas are expected.
How to apply
Review the project and full entry requirements on the University of Southampton webpage, then submit a PhD application through the university's postgraduate research application process before 18 December 2026.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.