What will you investigate?
Fungal infections are responsible for over 1 million deaths annually worldwide. Candida species are an important cause of these infections and drug resistant and multi-drug resistant Candida infections are increasing. We have a limited arsenal of antifungal drugs to combat these emerging invasive diseases. However, antimicrobial resistance occurs and this often confers fitness costs on the pathogen. Therefore, it is important to understand how antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens affects their ability to survive and cause disease in the host.
The successful candidate will lead an exciting project to investigate the fitness costs and benefits of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms on fungal pathogen survival and evolution. You will use a combination of microbiological and molecular techniques, flow cytometry and imaging studies, and infection models to interrogate fungal fitness. You will work in coordination with Childers lab colleagues to understand the broader implications of antimicrobial resistance in fungi. In addition, you will work with MacCallum lab colleagues to refine infection models for emerging Candida species.
What training will you receive?
You will receive training to become a well-rounded scientist who is able to communicate with scientific and general audiences. This training will be provided through regular meetings with our colleagues in the Aberdeen Fungal Group, presentations at conferences, training in scientific writing, and encouragement to participate in public engagement activities.
You will also learn transferable skills in microbiological techniques, imaging strategies, statistical analysis, and infection models.
What comes next?
By completing this project, you will have gained highly competitive skills for the life sciences industry, including (but not limited to) communication, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
The anticipated studentship start date is October 2021.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing.
NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE ON THE APPLICATION FORM.
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