PhD Studentship: Engineering Real-World Surfaces to Control the Acquisition of Antimicrobial Resistance
University College London (UCL)
Posted
Dec 05, 2025
Location
UK
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Full-time
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PhD Studentship: Engineering Real-World Surfaces to Control the Acquisition of Antimicrobial Resistance
UCL
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- London Centre for Nanotechnology
Qualification Type:
PhD
Location:
London
Funding for:
UK Students, EU Students
Funding amount:
Stipend at UKRI rate
Hours:
Full Time
Placed On:
26th November 2025
Closes:
12th January 2026
Reference:
CDT-AMR 2026 003
Supervisors:
Prof. Giorgio Volpe ****
Prof. Lena Ciric
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), yet most research focuses on well-mixed lab cultures rather than the structured biofilms found in real-world environments. This project investigates how engineered surface topographies influence HGT dynamics, aiming to develop design principles for materials that suppress resistance gene transfer. Combining biophysics, microbiology, and materials science, the project will generate insights into how physical environments can be harnessed to control AMR.
Approach and Methods
- Soft lithography and microfabrication to create defined surface landscapes. • Mating assays between resistant and sensitive Enterobacteriaceae strains.
• Live-cell imaging and fluorescent plasmid tracking.
• Quantitative image analysis to assess spatial dynamics of gene transfer.
Impact and Outlook
This project will:
- Establish proof of concept for surface-based AMR control.
• Inform the design of antimicrobial hospital surfaces and medical devices.
• Contribute to sustainable strategies for AMR mitigation.
Training and Student Development
The successful applicant will gain expertise in:
- Microbial genetics and fluorescence imaging
• Microfabrication and surface engineering
• Quantitative microscopy and data analysis
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, engineering, and biophysics
Research Environment
Volpe Lab: Experts in active matter, microscopy and microfabrication, with a strong interdisciplinary focus.
Ciric Lab: Leaders in healthy infrastructure and microbial surface interactions.
Both labs foster collaborative, cross-disciplinary research and have a strong record of PhD supervision.
Desirable Prior Experience
Experimental biophysics and soft matter, optical microscopy, numerical methods, molecular biology methods (e.g. cloning, PCR) and bacterial plasmid mating.
How to apply
This project is offered as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance. Further details about the CDT and programme can be found at AMR CDT webiste
Applications should be submitted by 12th January 2026.
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What makes you a great fit
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PhD Studentship: Engineering Real-World Surfaces to Control the Acquisition of Antimicrobial Resistance
UCL
**
- London Centre for Nanotechnology
Qualification Type:
PhD
Location:
London
Funding for:
UK Students, EU Students
Funding amount:
Stipend at UKRI rate
Hours:
Full Time
Placed On:
26th November 2025
Closes:
12th January 2026
Reference:
CDT-AMR 2026 003
Supervisors:
Prof. Giorgio Volpe ****
Prof. Lena Ciric
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), yet most research focuses on well-mixed lab cultures rather than the structured biofilms found in real-world environments. This project investigates how engineered surface topographies influence HGT dynamics, aiming to develop design principles for materials that suppress resistance gene transfer. Combining biophysics, microbiology, and materials science, the project will generate insights into how physical environments can be harnessed to control AMR.
Approach and Methods
- Soft lithography and microfabrication to create defined surface landscapes. • Mating assays between resistant and sensitive Enterobacteriaceae strains.
• Live-cell imaging and fluorescent plasmid tracking.
• Quantitative image analysis to assess spatial dynamics of gene transfer.
Impact and Outlook
This project will:
- Establish proof of concept for surface-based AMR control.
• Inform the design of antimicrobial hospital surfaces and medical devices.
• Contribute to sustainable strategies for AMR mitigation.
Training and Student Development
The successful applicant will gain expertise in:
- Microbial genetics and fluorescence imaging
• Microfabrication and surface engineering
• Quantitative microscopy and data analysis
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, engineering, and biophysics
Research Environment
Volpe Lab: Experts in active matter, microscopy and microfabrication, with a strong interdisciplinary focus.
Ciric Lab: Leaders in healthy infrastructure and microbial surface interactions.
Both labs foster collaborative, cross-disciplinary research and have a strong record of PhD supervision.
Desirable Prior Experience
Experimental biophysics and soft matter, optical microscopy, numerical methods, molecular biology methods (e.g. cloning, PCR) and bacterial plasmid mating.
How to apply
This project is offered as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance. Further details about the CDT and programme can be found at AMR CDT webiste
Applications should be submitted by 12th January 2026.
Share on social media
We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts.
If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert,
or its categorisation then please
send us your feedback
Advert information
Type / Role:**
Subject Area(s):
Location(s):
PhD tools
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PhD Alert Created
Job Alert Created
Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.
Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.
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PhD Alert Created
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Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.
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When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice
Create PhD Alert
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When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice
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More PhDs from UCL
G-Research UCL PhD Scholarship – AI systems - Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Two PhD studentships in Computational Physics and Chemistry
PhD Studentship: Transforming Antimicrobial Peptides into Medicines via AI-Empowered High-Throughput Nanoparticle Synthesis Platforms
PhD Studentship: Mapping Phage Diversity through Population-Scale Metagenomics in the Hunt for Novel Antimicrobials
PhD Studentship: Synergistic Efficacy of a Monoclonal Antibody Therapy with Colistin Against AMR Acinetobacter baumannii
PhD Studentship: Engineering the Microenvironment to Curb Antifungal Resistance and Limit Fungal Infections
Show all PhDs for this organisation …
More PhDs like this
PhD Studentship: Materials Engineering: Advancing Sustainable Solar Solutions to Transform Global Energy Access
PhD Studentship: Machine learning and AI for air traffic control, Computer Science
PhD Studentship: Non-coding RNAs as Biomarkers of Lewy Body Dementias and Related Traits - PhD (Alzheimer’s Society LBD DTN Funded)
PhD Studentship: Harnessing antiviral responses to block herpes simplex virus infection of human skin
PhD Studentship: Utilising Large Scale Metagenomic Surveillance Data Sets to Identify and Track Pathogen Population Dynamics
Join in and follow us
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