PhD Studentship: Interrogating Microbiomes and Metabolomes during P. Aeruginosa Infiltration and Colonisation in CF Respiratory Tract Infection

This PhD project focuses on understanding the biochemistry underpinning invasions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into respiratory microbiomes.

Cystic fibrosis affects >11,000 people in the UK of whom more than 10% will become chronically colonised by the bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The arrival of this pathogen, even with CFTR modulator therapy, can signify the worsening of respiratory symptoms. This is so clinically important that guidelines require the separation of persons living with cystic fibrosis to limit the spread of this bacterium. There is, however, no predictor accounting for why one person will become colonised and another will not. 

To understand and predict the potential for invasion, the project will investigate the metabolomes and microbiomes during ecological events that lead to the successful invasion of P. aeruginosa. This will be achieved by using cutting-edge DNA sequencing and LC-MS technologies.  

The successful candidate will gain significant interdisciplinary skills, including microbiology, analytical chemistry, and ecological modelling. 

Project aims and objectives

The overarching aim of this project is to observe how respiratory microbiomes of PWCF change when faced with P. aeruginosa, and whether the reaction determines the success or failure of the infiltration attempt. The proposal will achieve this by completing the following objectives:

• Culture microbiomes from patient samples.
• Identify microbiomes which are highly resistant or permissible to P. aeruginosa.
• Profile secreted metabolites to find differences in resistant and permissible microbiomes.
• Validate in vitro findings by longitudinal sequencing of microbiomes from P. aeruginosa naïve PWCF through their acquisition and colonisation with the pathogen. 

Funding

Home students can apply only. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three year award, which is £5,006 for the year 2025/26.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26.

Specific requirements of the candidate

The ideal candidate must have a background in biochemistry, biology or microbiology and knowledge of the following:

• Microbiological techniques, specifically the culture of microorganisms
• Microbiome sequencing and/or metabolomic profiling
• Experimental design, ideally in microbial ecology.

Other qualities of the candidate will include:

• Ability to conduct literature searches and critically evaluate scientific information
• Experience of working/researching in the NHS is desirable. 

How to apply

Dr Damian Rivett (D.Rivett@mmu.ac.uk) will lead the project as your Principal Supervisor. You are encouraged to apply for this opportunity directly by following the steps outlined below, without an informal discussion. If you have any queries in relation to this project, please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in the Department of Biological Science. 

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 13 March 2026 

Expected start date: October 2026

Please quote the reference: SciEng-DR-October 2026-27-IMMPACT

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