Understanding psychosocial and biological risk factors of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the human gut microbiome to inform behavioural interventions.

Overview

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR; when microbes such as bacteria, fungi or viruses adapt and no longer respond to antimicrobial infection control measures such as antibiotics) is an increasing concern for health systems worldwide and has been identified by the WHO as the biggest obstacle to effective treatment and prevention of infectious diseases (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241509763), with huge social and economic consequences. In 2016 the outcome of a comprehensive AMR review commissioned by the UK government and the Wellcome Trust was published, which highlighted the high cost of inaction with 700,000 lives lost globally and many more impacted by disrupted food security (https://amr-review.org/). 

The University of Bath in partnership with Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter has formed the GW4 AMR alliance (https://gw4amr.com/) with a ‘One Health’ approach – this aims to mitigate and manage infection in humans and understand drivers of selection and transmission. This novel PhD project is set in an interdisciplinary team, across Health Sciences, Psychology and Biology & Biochemistry. The project aims to understand how behaviour can reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance, in particular by determining the risk of AMR in the microbiome of people from different individual and societal backgrounds, and understand how targeted behavioural interventions can modify this risk.

The project will consist of several interdisciplinary strands:

1.     To use in depth qualitative research and behavioural theory (eg interviews focusing on risk perception and motivation with at-risk individuals) to understand how a better understanding of AMR risk can be used to help people to engage in weight reduction.

2.     To examine existing metagenomics datasets and apply bioinformatic methods and tools to quantify the presence of AMR genes in the gut flora of people who are overweight or obese.

3.      To understand how behavioural interventions focusing on calorie restriction can impact on AMR carriage, and identify people who may benefit from such personalised interventions

Working with multidisciplinary experts from across the University of Bath, and supported by the GW4 AMR Alliance, this project is directly in line with strategic aims for high impact research as well as the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences main research focus of Health and Wellbeing.

Preferred start date – late March 2022

Interviews – scheduled for w/c 13th December 2021

Application criteria

We are looking for a candidate with strong background in Psychology/Social Sciences and with interest in learning bioinformatic methods of analysis of pre-existing intervention study datasets. Extensive training and support will be provided in using bioinformatic tools by the additional supervisory support of Prof Edward Feil based in the Milner Centre for Evolution in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry.

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, an undergraduate Master’s first class degree or MSc distinction (or non-UK equivalent). English language entry requirements must be met at the time of application to be considered for funding, see https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/postgraduate-english-language-requirements-for-international-students/

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Francoise Koumanov ([Email Address Removed]).

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Health clearly stating the name of the project.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

Funding Eligibility:

In order to be considered for the available studentship, you must qualify as a Home student. In determining Home student status, we follow the UK government’s fee regulations and guidance from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). Further information may also be found within the university’s fee status guidance.

EU/EEA citizens who live outside the UK are unlikely to be eligible for ‘Home’ fees and funding.