PhD studentship: Role of Phage in Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for Clostridioides Difficile Infection
Overview
- Qualification type: PhD
- Subject area: Microbiology
- Location/Campus: Hatfield, College Lane Campus
- Start date: 1 September 2025
- Closing application date: 27 June 2025
- Duration: 3 years, full-time.
Project outline
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of gastrointestinal infection in hospitals and its incidence in community settings is growing. Antibiotic treatment of primary CDI leads to recurring infection in about 25% of patients, and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) with frozen stools from healthy donors is approved as a third line treatment for recurring CDI. FMT works by restoring the gut microbiota diversity with a relatively low risk of adverse side effects. However, effectiveness varies between patients, potentially due to microbiota interactions. One line of investigation is bacterial viruses (phages) within FMT material, which change the gut virome of CDI patients post transplantation. As phages interact with bacteria in the gut of the patient, including transferring genes between bacteria through transduction to confer new genetic traits that can re-shape gut health, we hypothesize phage transduction to be important in the efficacy of FMT. Methods for “transductomics” have been established, but not yet applied to FMT CDI samples. This programme aims to investigate the microbiota (including phages) and microbiome of FMT donors and recipients to understand bacterial and phage interactions in FMT patients that could predict efficacy. Patients from NHS Trusts will be recruited, and methods in clinical and molecular microbiology, metagenomics, and phage biology will be applied.
Supervisors
Principal Supervisor name & email: Dr Shan Goh
Supervisory Team name & email: Dr Jo Brooks-Warburton, Dr Simon Baines
Entry requirements
Essential
BSc in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines, with First or Upper Second Class (2:1) honours.
Desirable
MSc by Research, or MSc in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines, with First or Upper Second Class (2:1).
This project requires a strong interest in microbial interactions between phage and bacteria, background in microbiology, wet-lab experience and/or bioinformatics skills.
Eligibility
Students of all nationalities who hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline are eligible to apply. However, please note that the studentship only covers university fees at UK Home rate. Therefore, international candidates who are successful will be required to pay a portion of university fees.
Applicants who need a student visa will be required to pay for this themselves along with the Immigration Health Surcharge. For more information, please visit our website:
How to apply
All applicants should email the following documents:
- a completed application form
- two academic references - to be send direct from the referee to the Doctoral College
- copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
- a personal statement.
For international applicants:
- English Language qualifications (if applicable). International students from countries where English is not the official first language should have a minimum IELTS score of at 6.5 or equivalent. This could be waived if you have already studied in the UK or in a mainly English speaking country such as the USA or Australia and hold a degree from one of those countries.
Your completed application and supporting documents should be emailed to the Doctoral College Admissions team by 27 June 2025.
Interviews will take place: 14 July 2025
For informal enquires please email Dr Shan Goh. Applicants are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors informally to discuss the project.
Funding information
The studentship provides 3 years funding for a tax-free stipend, currently at £19,237 pa, and university fees at UK home rate.