PhD Studentship in One Health Metagenomics of E. coli UTIs in Pregnancy

This four-year PhD studentship at the Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, investigates the rising prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) urinary tract infections during pregnancy. The successful candidate will employ long-read genome sequencing, metagenomics, and quantitative PCR to analyze clinical samples in collaboration with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The project aims to trace infection sources by comparing clinical genotypes with genomic data from gut microbiomes, public databases, and environmental sources. The researcher will gain interdisciplinary expertise across bioinformatics, molecular microbiology, and public health statistics.

• Collect and process urine and faecal samples from pregnant women in coordination with clinical staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
• Perform long-read genome and metagenome sequencing to characterise microbial compositions of clinical samples.
• Execute 18S quantitative PCR assays to evaluate human DNA load and perform cytokine quantification for disease severity assessment.
• Analyze whole genome sequence data to compare genotypes of UTI-causing E. coli with patient gut microbiomes and environmental sources.
• Manage, curate, and statistically analyze large genomic datasets to identify antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants.