Phage Therapy and Microbiome Engineering in Cystic Fibrosis

About the Project

We are offering a self-funded PhD studentship aligned with Trailfinder-CF, investigating bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a targeted approach to modulate oral and respiratory microbiomes in people with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Chronic respiratory infection in CF is driven by complex, antimicrobial-resistant microbial communities. While antibiotics remain central to treatment, their broad-spectrum activity disrupts host microbiomes and contributes to antimicrobial resistance. This PhD project will explore phage therapy as a precision, microbiome-sparing alternative, with a focus on understanding and engineering microbial communities rather than indiscriminate pathogen eradication.

The project will examine the oral–respiratory microbiome axis in CF, isolate and characterise phages targeting clinically relevant pathogens, and assess how phage-based interventions can reshape microbial community structure and function. The work directly supports Trailfinder-CF’s goal of enabling earlier, more personalised and sustainable interventions in CF care.

Research Areas

The student will:

• Characterise oral and respiratory microbiomes in people with CF
• Isolate and study bacteriophages targeting CF-associated microbes in the oral cavity
• Develop and test phage cocktails for selective control
• Investigate phage–microbiome–antibiotic interactions and formulation
• Explore microbiome engineering approaches for management

Training and Opportunities

The student will receive training in:

• Microbiome profiling and microbial ecology
• Phage biology, genomics, and antimicrobial mechanisms
• Advanced microbiology and molecular techniques
• Translational research aligned with clinical CF priorities
• Wider training available within Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub

The project is embedded in a multidisciplinary research environment linked to CF Trust and LifeArc-funded Translational Innovation Hub Trailfinder-CF.

This is an in-person position on Liverpool Campus.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should have a strong undergraduate or Master’s degree (or expected) in:

• Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline

Experience in microbiology, microbiome research, phage biology, AMR, or bioinformatics is desirable but not essential. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and translational research is essential.