Will climate change worsen the problem of antibiotic resistance? Department of Ecology and Conservation, UQ-Exeter Institute PhD Studentship (Funded) for January 2027 Entry Ref: 5844

Join a world-leading, cross-continental research team

The UQ Exeter Institute is seeking exceptional students to join a world-leading, international research partnership tackling major challenges facing the global community in sustainability and wellbeing. Our joint PhD program provides a fantastic opportunity for the most talented doctoral students to work closely with world class research groups and benefit from the combined expertise and facilities at The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter. This prestigious program provides full tuition fees, stipend, travel and development funds and Research Training Support Grants to the successful applicants.

This select group of high-calibre doctoral candidates will have the chance to study in the UK and Australia, and will graduate with a joint PhD degree from The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter.

The studentship provides funding for up to 42 months (3.5 years).

Find out more about the PhD studentships www.exeter.ac.uk/quex/phds

Successful applicants will have a strong academic background and track record to undertake research projects based in one of the four priority themes.

Successful applicants will undertake this joint program on a full-time and onshore basis, commencing in Australia (UQ-homed) or in the UK (Exeter-homed). At least 12 months will be spent at each institution over the period of the joint PhD program.

The closing date for applications is midday Friday, 24 April 2026 (BST), with interview to be held between Monday, 25th May and Wednesday, 3rd June 2026. 

The start date is expected to be Monday, January 4th January 2027.

Please note that of the eight Exeter led projects advertised, we expect that up to four studentships will be awarded to Exeter based students.

Theme: Global Environmental Futures

Supervisors:

Exeter – Dr Daniel Padfield

UQ – Associate Professor Jan Englenstaedter

Project Description

Recent studies have shown that levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increase at higher environmental temperatures, but we know very little about the mechanisms causing this correlational pattern. This project will use experiments, DNA sequencing, and mathematical modelling to increase our understanding of these mechanisms. 

The key objective is to understand how temperature impacts the transfer rate and maintenance of plasmids in bacterial communities, which is one of the key ways that AMR spreads. Specifically, plasmid transfer should occur faster when bacteria have high growth rates and low mortality. As these microbial traits are temperature dependent, we should be able to predict plasmid transfer from the temperature response of the donor and recipient bacteria. Temperature will also change the selection for AMR. Being a plasmid-carrier can be costly in the absence of antibiotics, so the project will test how the costs and benefits of resistance traits change with temperature. If the strength of selection changes across temperatures, this may alter the rate at which bacteria evolve to overcome the costs of carrying the plasmids. 

This project will take advantage of a library of Escherichia coli isolates, isolated from cattle, and a collection of plasmids that the isolates can take up. The plasmids have broad host ranges, high transfer rates, and have been found in different natural environments, making them relevant for spreading AMR in the environment. This set of isolates will be supplemented with several E. coli isolates that cause infections in humans allowing us to understand the conditions through which environmental E. coli may spread antibiotic resistance to pathogenic strains. 

Below we suggest three different components of this project, but will encourage any PhD student to take ownership of the project to align it to their key interests. 

Objectives   

1. Understand how plasmid transfer rate changes across temperatures in environmental and clinical bacteria.   

Plasmid transfer rate is linked to the growth rates of the donor and recipient bacteria. We predict plasmid transfer across bacteria to be highest close to their optimal temperatures. 

1. Understand how selection for resistance changes across temperatures.  

We will quantify the cost of plasmid carriage and the impact of antibiotics on susceptible bacteria at different temperatures to quantify how the selection for resistance changes. 

1. Understand how plasmid spread and dynamics of bacteria change across temperatures in natural communities.   

We will use a range of methods (metagenomic sequencing, phenotypic assays, flow cytometry, qPCR) to measure how temperature affects plasmid carriage in simple and diverse communities.     

This interdisciplinary project will combine experiments, sequencing, and mathematical modelling to build and validate a mechanistic model linking temperature-dependent traits to AMR spread. Ultimately, these findings could inform mitigation strategies for AMR by informing risk prediction by identifying temperatures at which control measures targeting plasmids might be most effective and key antibiotics whose selection for resistance changes drastically across strains or temperatures. 

Key references:  

[1] https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1110   

[2] https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.03.692229 

[3] https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00228-21 

Contact

Questions about this project should be directed to Dr Daniel Padfield at D.Padfield@exeter.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BA or BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply for this studentship project please use the 'Apply now' button above.  Important note:  If you apply for this project via a different route your application will not be considered.   

You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload the following documents:

• a full CV
• A Personal Statement.  Please use the following form. UQ-Exeter Institute Personal Statement.  Please note: the document will open as read only so please ensure you save a copy onto your desktop to edit the document.  Please ensure you upload the completed document to your application.
• academic transcripts and degree certificates
• details of two academic referees.
• English Language qualification.

Please quote reference 5844 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary