Optimising gentamicin combination therapy in neonatal sepsis – a combined PK/PD and simulation approach

Many newborn babies die from infections, especially in developing countries. Newborn infections are usually treated with an antibiotic called gentamicin to kill the bacteria causing the infection. However, the amount of gentamicin in the baby’s blood needs to be checked to make sure it is not too high or too low. Too much gentamicin can damage the baby’s ears and kidneys. Too little gentamicin may not work well against the bacteria. However, checking the blood level is difficult in some countries, and so they rely on already optimised doses. Recent studies have shown that the bacteria species causing newborn infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics and therefore, treatment of newborn infections requires additional antibiotics. We, however, do not know how these additional antibiotics affect the effectiveness and safety of gentamicin.

This project aims to find out the best way to use gentamicin with other antibiotics for newborn infections. This will help doctors save more babies’ lives and prevent harm from gentamicin.

This project will do four things. First, check which bacteria identified in newborn infections are sensitive or resistant to different antibiotics. Secondly, measure how much gentamicin is in the blood of babies who get other antibiotics too. In addition, this project will test how well different combinations of medicines kill the bacteria responsible for newborn sepsis in the laboratory setting. Finally, the study will develop a mathematical model that links the blood level of gentamicin to its effect on the bacteria and propose an antibiotic combination and dose that will be effective with little to no harm to newborn babies with an infection being treated with gentamicin.

Overall, data from this study will help doctors choose the best dose of gentamicin when combining it with other antibiotics and prevent harm from sepsis.

Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living