Discovering how honey works to kill bacteria

Before antibiotics were discovered, honey was commonly used as a medicine and has been especially popular in treating wounds and skin infections due to its antimicrobial activity. Given the alarming problem of antibiotic resistance, there is renewed interest in the antimicrobial properties of honey. Manuka honey is a particularly potent antimicrobial agent, has broad-spectrum activity and, unlike antibiotics, has not led to bacterial resistance. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to craft the direction of their research around our two main projects: investigation of the mechanism(s) of action by which manuka honey kills bacteria without them gaining resistance and/or Investigating the antibacterial activity of the 80+ species of Australian manuka-type honeys, and comparing them with the activity of well-characterised New Zealand manuka honey. Through this project, the candidate will gain skills in bacteriology, antibacterial assays, molecular biology (transcriptomics and genomics), bioinformatics and microscopy.

This role is within the ithree institute in the Faculty of Science, one of the largest faculties at University Technology Sydney, which is Australia’s top ranked young university, with a particular focus on research translation. The ithree institute brings together a team of scientists with diverse skill sets who collectively address key challenges in the understanding and control of infectious diseases in humans and animals. The ithree institute has a strong student community and our institute is conveniently located in the Sydney CBD near Central station.

We ensure the continued development of postgraduates through incentives to attend national and international conferences; ensuring availability of financial support for acquiring new technologies (workshops and collaborations); and by encouraging postgraduate students to spend two to three months in another laboratory.

Successful candidates must be able to start by July 31 and will be awarded $26,682 (AUD) per annum over three years.

To apply, please send your CV and a ½ page expression of interest to [Email Address Removed]