INEOS Oxbridge Doctoral Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance

The INEOS Oxbridge Doctoral Initiative is a programme from the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI), University of Oxford and University of Cambridge to train the next generation of outstanding scientific champions to tackle the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

About the programme

The INEOS Oxbridge Doctoral Initiative on AMR integrates the expertise and capabilities of two Universities that are globally recognised for excellence in health science research. This is funded by the Ineos Oxford Institute, with studentships fully funded for 3.5 years (fixed term). There are 7x studentships available (3 in Oxford and 4 in Cambridge), to start in October 2024.

• Funding. Studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years, through the generous support of the Ineos Oxford Institute. This covers UK/international University of Cambridge & Oxford fees in addition to living costs (stipend), which will be equivalent to the standard Wellcome stipend rate.
• Future prospects. By the time you graduate, you will have acquired skills that are in high demand worldwide. This includes expertise in drug discovery, machine learning and analysis of big data. Such skills will support your future ambitions wherever these take you, including academia, pharma and private-sector companies.

Available Projects

Seven projects are available:

1. Detecting the emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance threats in routine microbial genomic surveillance
   Registered in: University of Cambridge. PhD in Genetics
   Primary supervisor: Professor Kate Baker email: kb827@cam.ac.uk (University of Cambridge)
   Co-supervisors: email: Dr Nicole Stoesser email: nicole.stoesser@ndm.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford) and Claire Jenkins email: Claire.Jenkins@ukhsa.gov.uk (United Kingdom Health Security Agency)
 
2. A threat in plain sight: the genomics and evolution of antimicrobial resistance in the most common hospital pathogens.
   Registered in:University of Oxford. DPhil in Biology
   Primary supervisor: Professor Sam Sheppard email: samuel.sheppard@biology.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
   Co-supervisors: Professor Andres Floto email: arf27@cam.ac.uk (University of Cambridge) and Dr Lilly Cummins email: elizabeth.cummins@biology.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
 
3. Using Hospital Safety Investigations to Inform and Operationalize System-Based Solutions for Antimicrobial Stewardship
   Registered in: University of Oxford. DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences
   Primary supervisor:Associate Professor Helen Higham email: helen.higham@ndcn.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
   Co-supervisors: Professor Jane O’ Hara email: J.O'Hara@leeds.ac.uk (University of Cambridge) and Professor Alison Noble email: alison.noble@eng.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
 
4. Detection of AMR in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
   Registered in: University of Cambridge. PhD in Biological Sciences
   Primary supervisor: Dr Josie Bryant email: jb31@sanger.ac.uk (Wellcome Sanger Institute)
   Co-supervisors: Professor Craig MacLean email: craig.maclean@biology.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
 
5. Food systems and AMR – Reforming food systems and food system biosecurity to reduce AMR risk
   Registered in: University of Oxford. DPhil in Biology
   Primary supervisor: Professor Andrew Farlow email: andrew.farlow@oriel.ox.ac.uk. (University of Oxford
   Co-supervisors: Dr Gareth Pearce email: gpp28@cam.ac.uk (University of Cambridge), and Professor Sam Sheppard email: samuel.sheppard@biology.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford)
 
6. Machine learning-powered design of novel antibiotics.
   Registered in: University of Cambridge. PhD in Engineering and Medicine
   Primary supervisor: Professor José Miguel Hernández-Lobato email: jmh233@cam.ac.uk.
   Co-supervisors: Professor Andres Floto email: arf27@cam.ac.uk (University of Cambridge)
 
7. Elaboration of an indole hit identified in a phenotypic screen against Mycobacterium abscessus
   Registered in: University of Cambridge. PhD in Chemistry
   Primary supervisor: Professor David Spring email: drs36@cam.ac.uk
   Co-supervisors:Professor Chris Schofield email: christopher.schofield@chem.ox.ac.uk (University of Oxford) and Professor Andres Floto email: arf27@cam.ac.uk

Application process

We are now accepting applications.

Application Deadline: 5 January 2024 at 11:59pm GMT

Start Date: October 2024

Additional information

Additional information about the different departments and course can be found at:

University of Oxford

• Department of Biology: DPhil in Biology
• Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences: DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences

University of Cambridge:

• Wellcome Sanger Institute: PhD in Biological Sciences
• Department of Engineering: PhD in Engineering and Medicine
• Department of Chemistry: PhD in Chemistry
• Department of Genetics: PhD in Genetics

Contact information

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the graduate admissions office of the department of the project you’re interested in. For general enquires please contact info@ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk.