MSc by Research / PhD: Farm to food to AMR: How do agriculture and food preservation practices affect fungal antimicrobial resistance?

The MSc by Research programme at the University of Aberdeen is for students interested in a research-intensive master’s degree. It is designed specifically to enhance your skills for a PhD or research career. If you have your own ideas for a research project in this area, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to one of the project supervisors above to discuss your ideas. You can find further information about our academic requirements and MSc by Research programme structure here.

There is also the opportunity to undertake this as a PhD research project (additional fees will apply).

One Health initiatives aim to optimise health and sustainably use resources to support a balanced ecosystem. This project aims to undertake a One Health approach to understand how animal handling and antimicrobial practices in agriculture and food manufacturing affect clinically relevant fungi and their resistance to antimicrobials. Antimicrobial use in the food industry has been tightly limited due to strong links to bacterial drug resistance in human infections. However, an antifungal drug is permitted in many food products consumed throughout the USA, UK, and Europe, with little understanding about how this additive affects human mycobiota diversity or antifungal resistance. Therefore, this project will determine the molecular mechanisms responsible for antimicrobial resistance in agriculture-isolated fungi and their potential impact on human health. It will also evaluate whether fungi repeatedly exposed to food additives develop resistance to the antifungals used against invasive disease.

The successful candidate will join the Aberdeen Fungal Group, where they will receive training alongside a vibrant postgraduate research community in science communication, best practices in fungal research, and have an opportunity to present and network at a national conference. On-project training will include standard microbiological techniques, microscopy, antifungal susceptibility testing, PCR and strain identification techniques, and molecular biology techniques for fungal genetic manipulation. Finally, the successful candidate is expected to proactively engage with opportunities for continuing professional development through postgraduate or core facility training courses. 

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Applicants to this project should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Dr Delma Childers (delma.childers@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please note: This is a self-funded opportunity.

• Prospective students should contact the lead supervisor (via the email address listed above) to discuss the research project and complete a proposal form prior to / or shortly after applying.
• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Medical Sciences (MSc) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and the project title on the application form. If this is not included, your application may not be considered for the project.
• Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level.
• Your application must include: a personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree, it is helpful to the selection panel if you could provide documentation showing your grades to date (this can be a screenshot from an online portal).
• Please note: Project supervisors will not respond to requests for funding assistance.
• If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pgrs-admissions@abdn.ac.uk