PhD Studentship: How does antibiotic resistance evolve in mixed communities? University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

[4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. Includes full payment of tuition fees, a stipend of £20,780 per year (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year.] This PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia investigates how antibiotic resistance evolves in mixed bacterial communities, with a particular focus on biofilms. The project addresses a critical challenge in human health by moving beyond simple laboratory models to study resistance mechanisms in complex, real-world microbial communities.

The research will explore the emergence of resistance in mixed species biofilms, using Salmonella as a model organism, and will examine which resistance mechanisms are viable under competitive conditions. The student will join the research groups of Prof Mark Webber and Dr Matthew Gilmour, gaining hands-on experience in microbiology, biofilm biology, genomics, transposon mutagenesis, and informatics. The project is based at the state-of-the-art Quadram Institute on the Norwich Research Park, home to the Centre for Microbial Interactions and over 100 microbiology research groups, providing a vibrant and collaborative environment.

The position is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), which offers a fully funded 4-year PhD CASE studentship in partnership with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship covers full tuition fees, an annual stipend of £20,780 (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. All NRPDTP students participate in a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) to enhance their professional development.

Applicants must hold at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) degree with a 2:1 classification and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The programme starts in October 2026, with applications due by 2 December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February 2026. For further details on eligibility and application procedures, visit the NRPDTP website.