This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).
The DTP offers an interdisciplinary research training programme delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter, Cardiff University and Rothamsted Research, alongside six regional associate partners: Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Swansea University, UCB Pharma, University of the West of England and SETsquared Bristol. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching, in collaboration with industry and government.
Studentships are available for entry in October 2022.
All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured 4-year PhD programme, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a taught first year which includes directed rotation projects.
Supervisory Team:
Lead supervisor: Prof Samuel Sheppard, University of Bath, Department of Biology & Biochemistry (email: [Email Address Removed])
Co-supervisor(s): Prof Andrew Dowsey (University of Bristol), Dr Jahangir Hossain (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - MRC Unit, The Gambia) and Dr Ben Pascoe (University of Bath)
Collaborator:
Prof Martin Maiden (University of Oxford)
The Project:
A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Diarrhoeal disease as the second most common cause of mortality among children under five in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), accounting for 10.6 million annual infant deaths. Caused by enteropathogenic bacteria, the major infection sources in the UK are well defined but transmission routes in LMICs are often unknown. This means that children at highest risk are least studied. House crowding, cohabitation with animals and poor sanitation/food safety are all potential risk factors, but effective interventions depend upon quantitative estimates of infection sources. So why are many enteropathogenic bacteria largely overlooked in LMICs? While the answer to this question, in part, relates to the perceived sub-clinical sporadic nature of some infections, a more unsettling reason is that the countries where people are at the greatest risk have low economic and development status. This realisation led to the development of this PhD program devoted to combating diarrhoeal disease.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM
Joining a large Medical Research Council (MRC) funded program you will be trained to sequence and analyse gut bacteria (metagenome) samples and quantify different antimicrobial resistant pathogens to human infection. Time spent in Bath University, Bristol University and The MRC Unit in the Gambia will support an interdisciplinary program involving genomics, bioinformatics and laboratory microbiology to untangle complex disease transmission networks.
A FLEXIBLE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
This program provides an ideal context for a student to tailor their PhD towards their own interests. From the outset, the project builds on established international network, substantial funding and a detailed project plan. This gives the student the opportunity to focus their efforts towards their preferred specialism(s). In the initial 3 months you will experience all aspects of the project. Commencing with a visit to The Gambia, you will take part in environmental and cross-sectional sampling with patients and local clinical leads. Next, you will culture isolates, differentiate species, conduct antimicrobial resistance assays, and extract DNA (including metagenomes). In Bath you will be trained in genome sequencing/assembly and sophisticated bioinformatic analyses. Finally, study in Bristol will teach artificial intelligence analyses and machine learning. The supportive and stimulating training environment will guide you through the challenges and rewards of this project – the results of which will have a profound impact on children’s health in Africa.
SPECIFIC TRAINING ADVANTAGES
- Joining the brand new Milner Centre for Evolution with state-of-the-art laboratories and genome sequencing facilities.
- Joining a large, well funded, internationally recognized research group (https://sheppardlab.com/) where 100% of PhD students publish papers within a 3 year program.
- Flexibility to drive research in your preferred direction based on strengths and interests (eg. from lab microbiology to bioinformatics).
- Direct access to the world’s largest cloud computing system dedicated to microbial bioinformatics (https://www.climb.ac.uk/).
- You will receive core training from world experts in microbiology, genomics and bioinformatics.
- Work within leading universities (Bristol Population Health Science Institute — University of Bristol) (Department of Biology & Biochemistry (bath.ac.uk)).
- You will work directly with MRC Gambia (Home | MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM).
Requirements:
Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.
In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.
* Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.
Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and upload any supporting evidence.
If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the lead supervisor.
Formal applications should be submitted on the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biosciences.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the SWBio DTP studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. You may apply for more than one project within the same application but you should upload a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your interest and suitability for that particular project.
See our website for more information about applying for a PhD at Bath.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender or disability status.
Continue with Facebook
