Barbara Tschirrren

The Wild Microbiome Lab at the University of Exeter, led by Associate Professor Xav Harrison, is recruiting multiple fully funded PhD students for 2026. The lab focuses on how microbes shape the health of animal hosts, with a particular emphasis on the interaction between host microbiomes and pathogens in wildlife. Research areas include microbiome-disease interactions, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dynamics, and the role of wildlife in the spread of pathogens and AMR. Four distinct PhD projects are available: (1) Microbiome-Disease Interactions in European Badgers, supervised by Xav Harrison and Barbara Tschirrren, based at Exeter and APHA collaborators; (2) AMR Dynamics in Wild Baboons, supervised by Ines Fürtbauer, Andrew King, and Neeltje Boogert, based at Swansea University and Exeter, with fieldwork in South Africa; (3) AMR Dynamics in Gamebirds in the UK, supervised by Barbara Tschirrren and Irene Bueno Padilla (Bristol); and (4) Migratory Birds as Vectors of AMR, supervised by Xav Harrison and Stu Bearhop, involving meta-analysis and fieldwork in Iceland. All positions are fully funded by the BBSRC SWBIO DTP, covering stipend, tuition, and research costs. Applicants should have strong backgrounds in biology, ecology, or related fields, with experience in fieldwork, quantitative skills, and molecular approaches. Projects may require mathematical modelling, meta-analysis, or advanced statistical tools. International students are welcome to apply, and no age limit is specified. To apply, candidates should review project details on the lab website, contact supervisors for more information, and submit applications via the BBSRC SWBIO DTP portal by December 3, 2024. The lab offers a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment with opportunities for fieldwork in Cornwall, South Africa, Iceland, and across the UK. Research keywords include microbiome, antimicrobial resistance, wildlife ecology, disease ecology, One Health, molecular ecology, and quantitative analysis.

The University of Exeter Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall is offering a PhD opportunity focused on understanding how host microbiome dynamics affect wildlife disease. The project will use a One Health framework to investigate how microbiome changes in European badgers influence their susceptibility to bovine tuberculosis (bTB), and how these patterns are shaped by host social interactions and space use. This interdisciplinary research combines molecular and bioinformatic techniques, statistical modelling, and field sampling, providing a comprehensive training environment for the successful candidate. The project is supervised by Xav Harrison and Associate Professor Barbara Tschirrren, both based at the University of Exeter. The research will be conducted within a vibrant academic community at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and field sites in Cornwall. The study is ideal for candidates interested in disease ecology, wildlife health, host-pathogen interactions, and the application of molecular and computational methods to ecological questions. Applicants should have a strong background in biology, ecology, or a related field, and experience with molecular and bioinformatic techniques, statistical modelling, and field sampling is desirable. The position is suitable for those with a good undergraduate or master's degree in a relevant discipline. The deadline for applications is December 3rd, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit the project page linked in the announcement.

A fully funded PhD opportunity is available at the University of Exeter Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall, focusing on the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through ecosystems. The project combines ecological fieldwork, including rodent trapping, habitat surveys, and pheasant sampling, with advanced molecular techniques, GIS, and spatial modelling to investigate how AMR moves across trophic levels and environments. The position is part of the SWBio Doctoral Training Partnership and offers a cross-disciplinary supervisory team: Barbara Tschirrren, Irene Bueno Padilla, Xav Harrison, and Mario Recker. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community and gain expertise in disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, and wildlife disease. Applicants should have a background in biology, ecology, or related disciplines, and experience in fieldwork or molecular methods is advantageous. The program provides funding for four years, covering stipend and tuition. The application deadline is December 3rd, 2025. For more details and to apply, visit the provided link.

<p>The University of Exeter Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position to investigate how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spreads through ecosystems. This interdisciplinary project combines ecological fieldwork, including rodent trapping, habitat surveys, and pheasant sampling, with advanced molecular techniques, GIS, and spatial modelling. The aim is to understand the mechanisms and pathways by which AMR moves across different trophic levels and environments.</p><p>The successful candidate will join a cross-disciplinary supervisory team consisting of Barbara Tschirrren, Irene Bueno Padilla, Xav Harrison, and Mario Recker. The project is funded by the SWBio Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), which covers tuition fees and provides a stipend for living expenses. The research will be based at the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, located in Cornwall, United Kingdom.</p><p>Applicants should have a strong background in ecology, biology, or a related discipline. Experience with fieldwork, molecular biology, GIS, or spatial modelling is highly desirable. A good undergraduate degree (2:1 or above or equivalent) is typically required, and non-native English speakers may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency.</p><p>The deadline for applications is December 3rd, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit the provided link. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, and the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance.</p>