Handwashing sinks and drains are increasingly associated with outbreaks of disease caused by antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria1. Organisms of concern typically belong to the Enterobacterales and produce enzymes that confer resistance to carbapenems, antibiotics of last- resort2. Previously we found that ~10% of sinks in some UK hospitals harboured carbapenem- resistant bacteria3, although prevalence across other clinical settings was not determined. This project will use longitudinal sampling to determine the prevalence of AMR Enterobacterales in handwashing sinks used by medical and veterinary professionals and to investigate how handwashing activity and supply water chemistry may alter sink bacterial composition and diversity.
The project will use a combination of culture- and sequencing-based approaches to determine AMR prevalence. The individual will be based at the University of Surrey but is expected to spend up to 18 weeks on placement at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) at Porton Down where they have access to a state-of-the-art simulation ward used to study infection control.
Opportunity: We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with interests in antimicrobial resistance and infection control to drive this project forward. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic record (First Class Honours Undergraduate degree or Masters’ degree with Distinction in bacteriology, molecular microbiology or a related subject) and some laboratory research experience. Knowledge or interest in bacterial sequencing-based techniques for the analyses of genomes and metagenomes would be advantageous.
The successful candidate will receive training in molecular bacteriology techniques and the computational skills needed for performing bioinformatics. The individual will join a vibrant research community in the Department of Microbial Sciences committed to providing supportive and inclusive learning through participation in meetings, journal clubs, and research seminars.
When on placement, the individual will be embedded in the UKHSA Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology group, thus gaining valuable research experience in the more applied aspects of infection prevention.
A 3.5-year fully funded studentship open to applicants worldwide starting in October 2022. Funding includes stipend, full fees and a research grant.
More information on the School of Biosciences and Medicine.
Entry requirements
A First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree from the UK (or equivalent qualification from international Institutions) or Masters degree in a relevant subject area.
English language requirements: An IELTS Academic of 6.5 or above with 6 in each individual category (or equivalent qualification from other agencies).
How to apply
Applications should be submitted via the online application portal for Biosciences and Medicine PhDs.
This project is part of the Faculty-funded studentship scheme and you can express interest in one or two of the projects available via this scheme. When completing your application, in place of a research proposal, please provide a 1-page (maximum) document containing the reference numbers(s), project title(s) and supervisor name(s) of the project or two projects you have selected, together with an explanation of your motivations for wanting to study for a PhD and your reasons for selecting the project(s) you have chosen.
The reference number for this project is FHMS PL - BM - 13.
For those interested in the project described above, we strongly encourage informal enquiries to be sent to Dr Jennifer Ritchie ([Email Address Removed]).
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