James Spencer

A fully funded 4-year PhD position is available in the group of Marc van der Kamp at the University of Bristol, UK, as part of the GW4 BioMed Doctoral Training Programme. The project focuses on overcoming β-lactamase-mediated antibiotic resistance by combining biomolecular simulation and experimental approaches. Students with a microbiology background are encouraged to apply. The research will involve both computational (dry-lab) and experimental (wet-lab) activities, including molecular dynamics, reaction simulations, enzyme assays, and crystallography. The aim is to understand how class C β-lactamases contribute to antibiotic resistance and to find links between enzyme structure and activity, helping to combat the growing threat of resistant bacteria. The project is co-supervised by James Spencer, Catherine Tooke, and Adrian Mulholland, all affiliated with the University of Bristol. Applicants are selected by the GW4 BioMed DTP, and the process is highly competitive. Interested candidates should contact Marc van der Kamp with a draft of their application text fields before October 5th and then apply through the DTP by October 20th. The position is fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend. For more information, visit the project and DTP links provided.