PhD project in AI-assisted design of intelligent antimicrobials for gastrointestinal disease treatment
PhD @University of Southampton posted 2 days agoJob Description
About the project
This project aims to develop AI-driven, metal-based smart antimicrobials targeting gastrointestinal infections and antimicrobial resistance. You will use cutting-edge AI drug design and microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology for rapid, animal-free drug screening.
This project offers an exciting opportunity to develop next-generation antimicrobial therapies to tackle gastrointestinal bacterial infections and the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). You will focus on designing novel metal-based antimicrobial agents using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted drug design techniques. These computational methods enable rapid molecular screening and structural optimization, accelerating the discovery of potent and selective therapeutics.
To test drug efficacy and safety, you will employ advanced microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models, miniaturized, biomimetic systems that replicate the human stomach environment in vitro without the need for animal testing. This innovative approach provides a more ethical, cost-effective, and physiologically relevant platform for drug evaluation.
Through this project, you will gain multidisciplinary expertise in AI-driven drug discovery, bioinorganic chemistry, microfluidics, and disease modelling. You will collaborate with experts in pharmaceutical sciences, materials engineering, and computational biology, working at the cutting edge of infectious disease research.
The project aims to produce new antimicrobial candidates with improved efficacy against resistant gastrointestinal pathogens and to pioneer platforms that streamline preclinical drug testing. This work has the potential to significantly impact global health by addressing critical treatment gaps and reducing reliance on animal models.
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- biomedical engineering
- computer science
- pharmaceutical sciences
- chemistry
- bioengineering
or a related discipline.
Fees and funding
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs (minimum of £19,237 in 2024-25) for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- choose the relevant PhD in Engineering
- add name of the supervisor in section 2
Applications should include:
- a personal statement
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts to date
Contact us
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
If you have a general question, email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk
Project leader
For an initial conversation, email Dr Chengchen Zhang (Chengchen.Zhang@soton.ac.uk).
