PhD in the development of novel weapons for the fight against antimicrobial resistance – a big data and surface science approach

A PhD position is available in the fields of applied supramolecular chemistry, big data and surface science. This project is in competition with other projects offered by the School of Physical Sciences for one of a number of EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership and Vice Chancellor’s PhD Studentships.

Since the 1980’s the invention of new antimicrobials has ground to a halt, however the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has continued to increase exponentially. Bacteria have now been identified that are resistant to all classes of antimicrobial currently marketed, including the commonly used antiseptic octenidine and the antibiotic of “last resort” - colistin. Therefore, the development of novel antimicrobials (to kill AMR microbes) and antimicrobial adjuvants (to re-sensitize AMR microorganisms towards currently redundant antimicrobials), is of the utmost importance.

In 2015 the Hiscock group first synthesised a novel class of Supramolecular Self-associating Antimicrobials (SSAs) and antibiotic adjuvants. Since this time SSAs have been developed by an interdisciplinary team including Dr D. Mulvihill (cell biologist - Kent) alongside Dr M. Sutton and C. Hind (antimicrobial development experts - Public Health England). To date SSAs have produced six high impact publications and one international patent application (No. PCT/EP2018/069568). Many antimicrobial agents, including SSAs, function by interacting with the microbial surface of susceptible cells. However, the specifics related to mode of antimicrobial action are not well understood, this represents a major rate limiting step for the development of novel weapons in the fight against AMR. The data generated by the successful candidate during their PhD studies will help to remove this developmental road block and is therefore of global importance.

The primary aims of this PhD project are as follows:

1. To use surface science and biophysics methodologies, including neutron scattering experiments, at the ISIS Neutron Source in Oxfordshire, QCM-D and AFM to gain a unique molecular level understanding of the surface-active antimicrobial or antibiotic adjuvant modes of action. Focusing both on conventional surface-active antibiotics and our novel SSAs.
2. Work with collaborators at Imperial College London to explore a big data approach to derive the relationship between SSA molecular structure and antimicrobial activity.
3. To use the structure-activity relationships identified to design, synthesise and test next generation SSAs with increased antimicrobial efficacy and, introduce a targeted approach to re-sensitize AMR microorganisms towards currently redundant chemical agents.

The successful candidate will be based at the University of Kent’s main campus in Canterbury as part of the Hiscock Group, and work under the supervision of Jennifer Hiscock (Kent), with co-supervision by R. Barker and D. Mulvihill. Depending on the successful candidates own project interests there may also be opportunities for secondment to Imperial College London, under the supervision of Dr. R. Hewson, and the microbiology research facilities at Public Health England under the supervision of Dr. M. Sutton and C. Hind.

This PhD Studentship is due to start in September 2019.

Webpage(s): J. Hiscock’s official web page is currently under construction. Please email her with any questions or requests for extra information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBv3L1iesi0

Contact: For further information or informal enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Jennifer Hiscock at [Email Address Removed]

How to Apply: To apply please go to [https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/18/chemistry]

You will need to apply through the online application form on the main University website. Please note that you will be expected to provide personal details, education and employment history and supporting documentation (Curriculum Vitae, transcript of results, two academic references).

Deadline Date for Applications: 8th February 2019