One Health (meta)genomics of E. coli-associated urinary tract infections in pregnancy (MATHER_Q27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location: Quadram Institute Bioscience
- Funding Type: Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date: 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study: Full-time
- Programme Type: PhD
Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Professor Alison Mather
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect up to 35% of pregnant women and are associated with maternal sepsis, pre‑term birth and markedly higher health‑care costs. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) accounts for 82–85% of these infections, and there are various bacterial factors that predispose to higher infection morbidity including certain phylogenetic groups, sequence types and virulence factors.
In this project, the student will investigate the hypothesis that the increased risk of UTIs observed in pregnancy may be in part due to differences in the types of E. coli causing the infections, including variations in phylogenetic group, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants. Working with clinicians at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the student will collect urine and faecal samples from pregnant women, and use long-read genome and metagenome sequencing to characterise urine microbial compositions in these groups and 18S qPCR to examine human DNA load and cytokine quantification to evaluate disease severity. Whole genome sequence data will be used to obtain an understanding of where the infections might be coming from: the genotypes of UTI-causing E. coli will be compared with 1) those in the patients’ own guts, 2) publicly available genomes obtained from non-pregnant individuals, 3) E. coli genomes from food and other environmental sources, as it’s been suggested some infections might come through the food chain.
The outcomes from this One Health and microbiome project will help combat infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance, and will provide the student with a valuable skillset in interdisciplinary research, encompassing bioinformatics, (meta)genomics and statistics with public health relevance.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 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.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
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.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
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).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
Astorga, G., Bloomfield, S.J., Palau, R., Janecko, N., de Oliveira Martins, L., Singh, D., Zamudio, R., Savva, G.M., Wain, J. and Mather, A.E. (2025) A multi-isolate genomic approach identifies diverse Escherichia coli contamination and antimicrobial resistance carriage on retail foods. Microb. Genom. doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001549. Carter, Hutchison, Rudder, Trotter, Waters, Elumogo, Langridge. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli population structure and antimicrobial susceptibility in Norfolk, UK. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023 Aug 2;78(8):2028-2036. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkad201. Zamudio, R., Boerlin, P., Mulvey, M.R., Haenni, M., Beyrouthy, R., Madec, J.-Y., Schwarz, S., Cormier, A., Chalmers, G., Bonnet, R., Zhanel, G.G., Kaspar, H. and Mather, A.E. (2024) Global transmission of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance in Escherichia coli driven by epidemic plasmids. eBioMedicine. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105097. Mattock, J., Chattaway, M.A., Hartman, H., Dallman, T.J., Smith, A.M., Keddy, K., Petrovska, L., Manners, E.J., Duze, S.T., Smouse, S., Tau, N., Timme, R., Baker, D.J., Mather, A.E., Wain, J. and Langridge, G.C. (2024) A One Health perspective on Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis, an emerging human multidrug-resistant pathogen. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 30: 701-710. doi: 10.3201/eid3004.23103
