PROJECT SCOPE: The project builds on existing work conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, Victoria, integrating hydrological measurements, contaminant concentrations, microbial profiles, & land use data. It will identify contaminants of concern & assess their toxicity and ecological risks by linking observed concentrations with ecotoxicological thresholds for relevant species.

UNIVERSITY: The University of Queensland (available to domestic students only)

FUNDING AVAILABLE:

- Living stipend of $45,000 per annum

- Tuition fees covered

- A professional development funding package of $21,000 per candidate for 3 years

PROJECT SCOPE: Culture based methods and molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and metagenomics are used for AMR monitoring in water environments. However, culture-based methods are time consuming and molecular techniques are costly and require prior knowledge for target genes whereas metagenomics are costly and require integration of other omics data for functional insights.

The aim of this PhD project is to test the ability of Infrared light technique for rapid detection of the most common bacteria related to AMR i.e. multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales. We will focus on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in E. coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter.

We will identify unique biomarkers associated with these bacteria, develop a standard scanning protocol for field testing and test on a preliminary scale the protocol in the real-world settings to detect AMR organisms in water.

UNIVERSITY: The University of Queensland (available to domestic students only)

FUNDING AVAILABLE:

- Living stipend of $45,000 per annum

- Tuition fees covered

- A professional development funding package of $21,000 per candidate for 3 years

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