Studying Legionella mobility and persistence in plumbing systems using micro mimics

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to study the mobility and persistence of Legionella in plumbing systems using biopolymer-based micro mimics. The PhD study forms part of a 3-year multi-disciplinary Marsden Fund project awarded by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Engineered water systems, such as premise plumbing, can harbour Legionella pneumophila, which can cause severe pneumonia. Despite numerous legionellosis outbreaks, the behaviour of L. pneumophila in engineered water systems is poorly understood. In our research, biopolymer-based surrogates will be used to study how Legionella attach/detach and persist in these systems (including those grown with biofilms and amoebae) in the presence of residual disinfectants. The mimics will be compared alongside live L. pneumophila to validate their suitability as a model.

You will be based at ESR’s Christchurch Science Centre. ESR is a government-owned Crown Research Institute. You will register with the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. This research will be undertaken in collaboration with the University of Alberta (Prof Nicholas Ashbolt) and the University of Calgary (A/Prof Elmar Prenner).

Your study will focus on bacteria, amoebae and biofilm aspects of the project, and validation of the new surrogates. You should have a strong background in microbiology and have some experience in working with microbial pathogens. Preferably, you have practical skills in qPCR methods, and particle imaging and characterisation techniques. Knowledge of biofilms and drinking water disinfectants would be advantageous.