The relationship between sensitive skin syndrome and the skin microflora

The project forms part of The Boots Company Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP), which aims to develop highly trained doctorate scientists with transferable research and business skills, who will contribute to the UK economy by solving bioscience challenges of the future.

This CTP PhD opportunity is a partnership between the No7 Beauty Company, within The Boots Company PLC, and the University of Manchester. The No7 Beauty Company has a rich heritage of over 85 years in skincare, powered by a deep understanding of customers and their needs with science at the heart of the skin care solutions and services they develop.

They believe that the maintenance of healthy skin for life is necessary in helping people lead healthier and happier lives and that progress towards this cannot be made without the latest research into skin biology. With direct access to their customers and patients, Boots and No7 Beauty Company play a vital role in delivering this research into the UK skincare market through education, and sought after products and services. This PhD is an opportunity for you to make an important contribution to this, working with accomplished academic and industry teams.

This particular project aims to address the knowledge gap of the role of the microbiome in skin sensitivity syndrome (SS). The prevalence of SS is as high as 60-70% among women and 50-60% among men. Differences of skin biochemistry in those individuals have been reported, however the role of the microbiome remains unclear.

Through use of metagenomic analysis and comparisons between the skin microbiome of people with sensitive skin (SS) and people with non-sensitive skin (NS), key representative microbes will be identified and studied in the form of multispecies communities in skin models. Combinations of microbes or appropriate pre/probiotics will be formulated and tested with the aim of encouraging maintenance and resilience akin to a healthy skin microbiome.

This project will be supported by a multi-disciplinary team, to provide the supervision and expertise required for a successful PhD. The assembled supervisory team will not only guarantee the above but allow the PhD student to enter a network of professional collaborations that will provide countless opportunities from learning techniques and expertise, to experiencing different lab environments.

Key objectives

Aim: Understanding of the entire imbalance of skin microbiome in SS to rationally design microbiome replacement therapies.

Objectives:

1. Microbiome comparison of SS and matched NS swab samples, using metagenomics and analysis.

2. In depth analysis of samples with particularly interesting and/or common signatures, using Oxford Nanopore sequencing and analysis.

3. Testing of specific microbiome combinations in a lab model, analysing skin barrier function, microbial attachment, and replacement.

The project will lead to an improved understanding of the skin microbiota in SS. This knowledge will be used to develop microbiome replacement products, which can lead to novel cosmeceuticals targeting people with SS.

As part of the CTP program, the student will benefit from commercial training and personal development. A placement of a minimum of 3 months will also be provided, giving the student the opportunity to choose their own technical and/or business training from across many teams including, claims, regulatory, packaging innovation and consumer insights.

Supervisory Team 

Dr Sarah Kuehne (primary supervisor, microbiologist)

Dr Conor Meehan (secondary supervisor, bioinformatician)

Dr Jonathan Thomas (Nanopore sequencing expert)

Dr Ajoy Bardhan (Consultant Dermatologist, University of Birmingham)

Dr Richard Horniblow (Encapsulation specialist, University of Birmingham)

+ Boots/ No7 Beauty Company industrial supervisor

Entrants must hold a first or upper second-class honours degree of a UK university or an equivalent qualification, or a lower second-class honours degree with a master’s degree at Merit level from a UK university or an equivalent qualification.

You are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area/subject. English Language IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. Candidates with previous laboratory experience, particularly microbiology, cell culture (including 3D cell culture models and bioinformatics are encouraged to apply.

In addition to the academic requirements for the project the following skills and behaviours would be advantageous:

* A curiosity to expand your knowledge of business practices and how research insights can be translated into consumer applications

* An appreciation of the benefits of stakeholder management

* The ability to tailor information to the needs of different audiences

The CTP PhD Studentship is for 4yrs and funding will cover tuition fees and UKRI stipend ( a minimum of £21,622 p.a. based on the 2023/24 BBSRC stiped) and project costs.

Applications are invited from both UK and non-UK residents. However, please be aware that if you are a non-UK applicant, the BBSRC requirements cap the number of PhDs that can be filled by non-UK residents at 30% per academic year.

We are always open to discussing possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.