Evelien Adriaenssens

[4-year fully-funded studentship including direct payment of tuition fees, annual stipend for living expenses (£20,780 for 2025/26), and a Research Training Support Grant each year.] This PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia investigates the ongoing spread of Shiga toxin stx2a-harbouring phage in E. coli, a major public health concern due to its association with severe foodborne illness and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). The project will explore the impact of multiple stx2a gene copies, prophage diversity, and additional genetic factors contributing to HUS. Research will integrate bacterial and phage genomics, clinical data analysis, qPCR expression assays, and laboratory assessment of prophage mobilisation. The aim is to inform public health surveillance and predict the emergence of novel pathogenic E. coli types. The student will receive training from Dr Gemma Langridge (microbiology and E. coli genomics), Dr Evelien Adriaenssens (phage biology), and Dr Claire Jenkins (UK Health Security Agency lead for E. coli), gaining expertise in both laboratory and computational methods, including sequencing, qPCR, phage biology, phylogenomics, and genome-wide association studies. The programme includes a placement at the UK Health Security Agency, providing experience in translating research into practical public health methodologies. The student will be based at the Quadram Institute, a state-of-the-art facility on the Norwich Research Park, joining a vibrant community of microbiologists and informaticians. The studentship is fully funded for four years, covering tuition fees, a living stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26), and a Research Training Support Grant. Applicants should have at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The programme starts on 1 October 2026. For application details, visit the UEA postgraduate research portal or contact Dr Gemma Langridge for informal enquiries.

[4-year fully-funded studentship including direct payment of tuition fees, annual stipend for living expenses (£20,780 for 2025/26), and a Research Training Support Grant each year.] This PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia focuses on understanding the microbiome and phageome in chronic lung infections, specifically bronchiectasis, to advance the development of phage therapy. Bronchiectasis is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease, and recurrent infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly worsen patient outcomes. The project aims to deepen knowledge of bacterial and phage communities in bronchiectasis sputum, enabling more informed decisions about personalised phage therapy. The research is primarily computational, involving bioinformatics analyses of the microbiome and phageome, complemented by laboratory work such as DNA extractions and microbial isolations. The studentship is MRC-funded and based at the Quadram Institute Bioscience, in collaboration with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The successful candidate will join Dr Evelien Adriaenssens’s group, an expert in viromes and microbiome, with support from Prof Eleanor Mishra, a respiratory consultant and associate clinical professor. The Quadram Institute offers a vibrant research environment at the intersection of fundamental and translational research, with extensive training opportunities, scientific support, and funding for conference attendance. The position is fully funded for four years, covering tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses (£20,780 for 2025/26), and a Research Training Support Grant. Applicants should hold at least an Upper Second-Class Honours degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or a related discipline, and demonstrate expertise in either microbiology, molecular biology, or bioinformatics, with a willingness to learn complementary skills. Advanced bioinformatics skills, including command-line proficiency, are essential. English language requirements are IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6 in each category. The PhD student will be based at the Quadram Institute building on the Norwich Research Park, joining a dynamic research community. The application deadline is 6 January 2025, with the program starting on 1 October 2026. For eligibility and application details, visit the provided university links.