Microbiology and Immunology: SURES PhD, Genetic and Functional Factors driving Biofilm-Mediated Persistence in Staphylococcus epidermidis Prosthetic Joint Infections

About the Project

Key Information

Open to: UK and international applicants

Funding Providers: Swansea University is pleased to offer fully-funded Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarships (SURES) for full-time doctoral students to its seventh cohort, commencing in October 2026.

Each SURES scholarship includes tuition fees and a stipend – reviewed annually at the UKRI standard rate and a £1,000 annual training allowance to support immersive training experiences, conference attendance, engagement with industry and international collaborative opportunities.

Each scholarship is offered for a maximum period of three years; SURES students are expected to submit their theses within this timescale.

Informal scholarship enquiries from applicants to prospective supervisors – prior to the application deadline – are warmly encouraged; please direct these to the relevant member/s of faculty staff.

Subject Area: Microbiology and Immunology

Project Start Dates: October 2026

(Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Supervisors:

• Dr Lydia Powell
• Prof Tom Wilkinson

Aligned programme of study: Microbiology and Immunology, Ph.D. - Swansea University

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study:

• Swansea University (Singleton Campus)
• Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project description

Title of project

Genetic and Functional Factors driving Biofilm-Mediated Persistence in Staphylococcus epidermidis Prosthetic Joint Infections

Overview

Joint replacement therapy relieves pain and improves function and quality of life for over 200,000 people each year in the UK. Sadly, prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are a major clinical challenge due to their persistence, resistance to treatment, and requirement for repeated surgical intervention. Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common skin commensal, is a leading cause of PJIs due to its ability to form biofilms on implanted devices and evade host immune responses. S. epidermidis forms its biofilm matrix through the production of four large macromolecules that influences its structure and function. Our recent studies revealed that PJIs are highly dynamic, involving S. epidermidis populations that evolve genetically at the infection site. However, it remains unclear whether this genetic variation translates into functional biofilm changes of the large matrix molecules that ultimately promote persistence.

This project will investigate how genomic diversity and within-host evolution in S. epidermidis influences biofilm matrix formation, antibiotic tolerance, and host immune system interactions. Using patient-derived isolates, advanced biofilm models, and primary human neutrophils, the study will define how bacterial adaptation alters immune evasion and chronic infection. This work will provide critical mechanistic insight into persistent implant-associated infections and identify novel therapeutic targets to disrupt biofilm-mediated disease.

Eligibility

Candidates must have achieved, or be expecting to achieve, a 1st class UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification), or a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree and a Distinction in a UK master’s degree (or international equivalent)

• Where applicants have multiple master’s degrees, a distinction must be held in the degree that is most relevant to the intended PhD study.
• If you are currently studying for a master’s level qualification with an expected award date that is later than 01/10/2026, you should hold a minimum of an upper-second class (2:1) honours degree.
• You should be able to demonstrate a pass with a minimum grade average of at least 70% for your part-one master’s degree modules (the taught aspect of your master’s course rather than a research-focused dissertation) and submit your dissertation by no later than 30/09/2026.

NB: If you hold a non-UK degree, please see the Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants must be able to begin their course of study in October 2026.

As a cohort-based programme, deferral to an alternative enrolment window within the academic year or to another academic year is not permissible.

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individual component) or equivalent that is recognised by Swansea University.

Please note that both the degree and language-proficiency entry requirements for SURES are higher than the baseline standard for entry that is stipulated for most of the PhD programmes at Swansea University.

UK and International applicants

• Please note that International applicants will be required to hold a SUIPRES scholarship, with further guidance to follow if shortlisted.

Funding Notes

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.