PhD Studentship - Linking Antimicrobial Resistance, Climate Warming, and Carbon use Efficiency in Arctic Soils

Primary Supervisor - Dr Marcela Hernandez Garcia

Scientific Background

Global warming and the potential end of the antibiotic era are two critical societal challenges. These two threats overlap because antibiotic contamination of the wider environment, in combination with climate warming, glacier retreat, and permafrost thaw, can open new niches for antibiotic resistant microbes to proliferate. We have found that microbial interactions shape the temporal dynamics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Arctic. Moreover, there is emerging evidence from terrestrial ecosystems that antibiotics and warming independently reduce the efficiency of microbial carbon use, which can translate to high C-efflux and lower potential for C-sequestration. In other words, both warming and antibiotic contamination may lead to the amplification of climate change. We predict that an increase in AMR in the Arctic will reduce microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) because competitive interactions among microbes would lead to the allocation of energy and nutrients towards AMR instead of biomass growth. This PhD project will unravel the mechanisms driving AMR in pioneer and extreme soil environments in the Arctic, focussing on Svalbard – the fastest warming place on the planet, offering natural gradients in soil development, and pristine and anthropogenically influenced environments.  

Methodology

The overarching aim is to understand whether climate warming and AMR impact microbial CUE. You will measure CUE by AMR bacteria in isolation and within Arctic soils. Additionally, you will investigate the potential for AMR bacteria in wastewater from Svalbard settlements to colonise Arctic soils and alter their CUE.  

You will join sampling campaigns in Svalbard followed by training in cutting-edge tools for isolation and identification of microbes, including metagenomics and bioinformatics.  

Training 

Training will include cultivation of soil bacteria, quantitative PCR, amplicon-based sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and metagenomic analysis. You will present results at national and international conferences, and collaborate internationally with project partners abroad (including collaborators in France and Italy). 

Person specification 

We are looking for a pro-active, highly motivated student. The successful candidate should have a strong background in microbial, soil or environmental sciences (e.g., BSc/Masters in Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, or similar). For fieldwork participation (non-essential), willing to join sampling campaigns in Svalbard. 

 Entry Requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Acceptable first degree:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Sciences
• Or similar

Start Date: 1^st October 2026

Funding

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

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