PhD Studentship - Assessing Microplastics as Drivers of AMR Selection and Spread

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat and environmental issue attracting significant research, industry and policy attention. Microplastics, persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants, can support the growth of bacterial communities and AMR. Wastewater environments are particularly important as they contain microplastics, resistant pathogens and antibiotics that may select for AMR. However, the role of microplastics in the persistence, selection and transmission of AMR is poorly understood.

We encourage the researcher to shape the research as it progresses, but preliminary research questions include:

• Do antibiotics sorb to and accumulate on microplastics, increasing AMR selective pressures?
• Do microplastic polymers differ in their ability to support growth of resistant pathogens?
• Can microplastics ‘shelter’ resistant pathogens, facilitating their survival and transmission through wastewater systems, and beyond?
• Can this knowledge be used to inform wastewater treatment processes, and risk management?

The Doctoral Researcher will receive interdisciplinary training across microbiology (culture-based and molecular, e.g., next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics), evolutionary biology, chemistry (e.g., LC-MS), and microplastic characterisation (e.g., FTIR spectroscopy). They will be supervised by internationally recognised researchers with strong policy and industry links, and a track record of collaboration. We are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports collaboration and development of independent researchers.

Funding

For eligible students the studentship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend.