Project description

Bacterial genomes undergo many changes at the nucleotide level but it is increasingly being recognised that macro changes in their genome structure also occur. In this project, the genetic and environmental factors driving genome rearrangement will be investigated in two strains of foodborne bacteria. The results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the rules of life and provide a foundation to better understand the impact that genome rearrangement has upon key phenotypes including biofilm formation and response to antibiotics in the food chain.

The student will receive training in both wet lab and computational aspects, equipping them with an excellent range of skills including long and short read sequencing, metabolic and biofilm phenotyping, transposon mutagenesis and sequence analysis. They will join the research group of Dr Gemma Langridge, who is a world-leader in the field of genome rearrangement, and receive additional supervision from Prof Mark Webber, an expert in biofilms.

Located on the Norwich Research Park, the Quadram Institute is a state of the art building with outstanding facilities. The student will join a diverse community of microbiologists, molecular biologists and informaticians, alongside a cohort of graduate researchers with exceptional training opportunities.

Informal enquiries can be sent to: gemma.langridge@quadram.ac.uk

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 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 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

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 (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

References

Waters EV, Cameron SK, Langridge GC and Preston A (2025). Bacterial genome structural variation: prevalence, mechanisms and consequences. Trends in Microbiology doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.04.004

Waters, Emma V, Liam A Tucker, Jana K Ahmed, John Wain, and Gemma C Langridge. 2022. 'Impact of Salmonella genome rearrangement on gene expression', Evolution Letters, 6: 426-37.

Waters EV, Lee WY, Ismail Ahmed A, Chattaway MA and Langridge GC (2024). From acute to persistent infection: revealing phylogenomic variations in Salmonella Agona. PLoS Pathogens doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012679.

Holden, Emma R, Muhammad Yasir, A Keith Turner, Ian G Charles, and Mark A Webber. 2022. 'Comparison of the genetic basis of biofilm formation between Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli', Microbial Genomics, 8: 000885.

Yasir, Muhammad, A Keith Turner, Sarah Bastkowski, David Baker, Andrew J Page, Andrea Telatin, Minh-Duy Phan, Leigh Monahan, George M Savva, Aaron Darling, Mark A Webber and Ian G Charles. 2020. 'TraDIS-Xpress: a high-resolution whole-genome assay identifies novel mechanisms of triclosan action and resistance', Genome Research, 30: 239-49.

Out of order: investigating genetic and environmental drivers of genome rearrangement (LANGRIDGE_Q26DTP)

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References