PhD Studentship in Microbiome and Parkinson’s Disease: A pan‑African Multi‑omic and Organoid Investigation

Award Summary

Funding will cover an annual stipend aligned to the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and 100% of tuition fees at the Home (UK) rate.

Overview

Interested in how the gut microbiome contributes to Parkinson’s disease across diverse global populations?

This PhD project will explore how African diet, environment, and socioeconomic context shape Parkinson’s disease–associated gut microbiome profiles and their effects on gut biology.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasing rapidly across Africa, yet most microbiome research has focused on Western populations. This PhD addresses this critical gap using one of the largest PD microbiome datasets assembled to date. You will work with a landmark pan‑African cohort of up to 2,000 adults (1,000 PD cases and 1,000 matched controls) from multiple regions, with rich clinical, dietary, environmental, and socioeconomic data. Using metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics, you will identify microbial species, pathways, and metabolites associated with PD, and determine how these vary by context.

To move beyond association, you will test mechanism using state‑of‑the‑art intestinal organoid–microbiome co‑culture models to measure the effects of bacteria on epithelial barrier integrity, inflammation, and host transcriptional responses.

The project offers interdisciplinary training in bioinformatics, advanced statistics and machine learning, anaerobic microbiology, organoid culture, and clinical interpretation of Parkinson’s disease. There may be opportunities to visit African partner sites and gain experience in global health research.

This PhD is ideal for applicants interested in microbiome science, neurodegeneration, and equitable global health research.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: Flexible for September 2026, January 2027, or April 2027

Award duration: The funding covers a four-year PhD

Sponsor: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University

Supervisors

Professor Christopher Stewart, Translational and Clinical Research Institute

Professor Richard Walker, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Tash Fothergill-Misbah, Population Health Sciences Institute

Eligibility Criteria

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. A Masters with strong research training element would be highly advantageous.

If your first language is not English you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (at least 5.5 in all sub-skills) or equivalent language qualification.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

In ‘Course choice’ tab, put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in 'Type of Study', ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2026’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘8440F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’. Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Translational and Clinical Research (FT)’, and save selection.

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘TC130’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact Details

For further details, please contact:

Professor Christopher Stewart

Translational and Clinical Research Institute

E-mail: christopher.stewart@newcastle.ac.uk