EastBio: Developing theranostic antibodies that recognise fungal pathogens belonging to Fusarium species, important agents of fungal keratitis and fusariosis

Details

This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD project focused on the development of innovative antibody-based approaches to combat infections caused by Fusarium species, major fungal pathogens that threaten both vision and life.

Fusarium species are among the leading causes of fungal keratitis, a severe corneal infection that can result in irreversible blindness, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In immunocompromised individuals, these fungi can also cause invasive fusariosis, a frequently fatal systemic infection that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Current diagnostic methods are often slow and insensitive, while available antifungal therapies have limited efficacy and are compromised by emerging drug resistance. There is therefore an urgent clinical need for new strategies that improve both detection and treatment of Fusarium infections.

This multidisciplinary PhD project will investigate the cell surface of clinically important Fusarium species to identify novel antigens suitable for antibody development. In addition, the project will test the utility of a panel of pan-fungal antibodies already developed by Professor Munro that have the potential to recognise Fusarium species.

A major goal of the project is to develop antibodies that can be translated into rapid diagnostic platforms capable of detecting Fusarium infections in clinical samples. In parallel, the student will evaluate the therapeutic potential of these antibodies, including their ability to enhance fungal opsonophagocytosis using immune cell assays and organ-on-a chip technologies. The work has the potential to establish a new generation of targeted biologics for fungal disease.

The student will join a vibrant and internationally recognised research environment with expertise spanning medical mycology, host-pathogen interactions, immunology, and translational infectious disease research. The successful candidate will employ state-of-the-art techniques in fungal biology, immunology, proteomics, and antibody engineering to generate and characterise monoclonal antibodies targeting key fungal determinants. Training will be provided in advanced laboratory techniques, experimental design, bioinformatics, data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation skills. This project is ideally suited to candidates with a background in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline. Applicants should be highly motivated, enthusiastic about infectious disease research, and keen to contribute to the development of innovative solutions to major global health challenges.

By combining cutting-edge antibody technologies with fundamental fungal biology, this PhD offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of devastating fungal infections while gaining training at the forefront of translational biomedical research.

This project is available for part-time study (Home/UK students only).

Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

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

All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.

1. Application submission

Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Send your application as a single email with the subject line: “EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”

2. Required documents

Your application email must include the following:

• Completed EASTBIO application form
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Two references (one reference may be non-academic)

3. References

All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).

References can be either:

• Included with your application, or
• Sent directly by referees to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “EASTBIO Reference – [Your Name]”

All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.

Important notes

• No research proposal is required.
• Do not include any additional documents (for example, school certificates, conference papers, or dissertations).
• Incomplete applications or those including unnecessary materials will not be considered.
• Due to workload constraints, we are unable to follow up on missing documents or process incomplete applications.
• All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.

For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

This fully funded, four-year PhD project is offered as part of a competition within the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. The opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, although the proportion of international students recruited through the EASTBIO DTP is capped at 30% by UKRI BBSRC.

EASTBIO studentships provide a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (estimated at £22,437 for the 2027/28 academic year), a training grant of £5,000 per year for the first three years (and £1,500 in the fourth year), and a travel and conference allowance of £230 per year.

Please note that EASTBIO is unable to fund visa costs or associated healthcare surcharges for international students.