PhD Studentship: Harnessing Archaea for Antibiotic Discovery and Development

The discovery and development of penicillin sparked ‘The Golden Age of Antibiotics’ which spanned the 1940’s to 1960’s when most major classes of antibiotics were discovered. Indeed, most antibiotics in clinical use today are derived from natural products made by bacteria. 

Alarmingly, however, the pipeline of new antibiotics has dried up at a time when the continued evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant threat to global health and new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed.  

The development of new antibiotics is a highly interdisciplinary activity that requires teamwork. It also requires an understanding of how antibiotics inhibit the growth of their target pathogens. 

This project is a collaboration between the groups of Laura Lehtovirta-Morley (University of East Anglia) and Barrie Wilkinson, Matt Hutchings, Dmitry Ghilarov and Tony Maxwell (John Innes Centre). The aim is to develop archaeal species as new tools for determining antibiotic mechanism of action.  

The successful candidate will be studying a new family of highly potent antibiotics called the formicamycins for which we have not yet been able to generate resistance in the laboratory. They will have access to cutting-edge research facilities as well as a stimulating research and training environment and will be part of a crossdisciplinary team focussed on antibiotic discovery. 

The project provides an exceptional training opportunity in molecular microbiology, antibiotic function and development, antimicrobial resistance, protein purification and biochemical analysis, biophysical techniques, structural biology, and bioinformatics which is essential to the next generation of bioscientists.  

The candidate will be supported in acquiring transferable skills such as written and spoken communication, problem solving and critical thinking, and will help train visitors to the lab to gain skills in knowledge exchange.  

This combination of skills and experience will make the candidate highly employable in both academia and industry. 

Additional Information:

The Norwich Research Park (NRP) Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) is offering fully-funded studentships for October 2023 entry. 

The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme.  

You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers.  

All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development.  

Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.  

Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 24, 25 or 26 January 2023.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/  

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Primary Supervisor: Prof Barrie Wilkinson 

Funding

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2022/3 stipend rate: £17,668), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. Competition Funded (Home and International).