A one health investigation of Ionophore-associated AMR in poultry isolates of Enterococcus faecium

Summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major one health challenge, with animal production presenting an important environment for the persistence and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. AMR has historically been studied primarily in healthcare settings, however, it has been increasingly recognized that veterinary medicine, animal and plant production, and the environment play important roles in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Various polyether Ionophore (PI) including narasin, salinomycin and monensin, are added in poultry feed for the control of coccidiosis and therefore for animal welfare and wider circular economy. Nevertheless, in addition to their anticoccidial activity, ionophores possess antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, through disruption of bacterial ion gradients and membrane-associated processes.

This is particularly relevant to Enterococcus faecium, a Gram-positive bacterium capable of acquiring and disseminating antimicrobial-resistance determinants. This PhD project will investigate ionophore-associated antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus faecium from poultry production, focusing on how resistance determinants carried on mobile genetic elements may persist and transfer between bacteria.

The project will investigate the relationship between ionophore exposure, resistance determinants and plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer. Particular attention will be given to the narAB system, which has been associated with reduced susceptibility to important poultry ionophores such as narasin, and to the co-occurrence of ionophore-associated resistance with other antimicrobial-resistance determinants. The research will combine microbiological, molecular and genomic approaches.

The project will contribute to a One Health understanding of AMR at the interface of animal health, food production and public health, while developing advanced research skills in microbiology, molecular biology, antimicrobial resistance and genomics.

Please note:  Research Proposal - 5 pages in total

The proposal must include:

• Background to the project - 2 pages
• Problem to be addressed/Aim and Objectives - 1 page
• Methods to be used -1 page
• Anticipated outcomes -1 page
• List of references

Please also note that the use of AI in generating the research proposal is prohibited.

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences/Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission.
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship.
In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.