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🧬 PhD Studentship in Fungal Infections – Aspergillus fumigatus | Trinity College Dublin
Institution: Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Department: Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine
📍 Location: Sir Patrick Dun Laboratory, Centre for Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Pathology, St. James’s Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
💼 Position: PhD Studentship in Fungal Infections
🔬 Research Area: Medical Mycology | Fungal Infections | Microbiology | Fungal Cell Biology | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Antifungal Research | Immunology
The Department of Clinical Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin is inviting applications for a full-time, fixed-term PhD Studentship in Fungal Infections under the supervision of Professor Johannes Wagener.
The project focuses on Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for a range of human diseases, including allergic conditions, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and life-threatening invasive aspergillosis.
The successful candidate will undertake basic and translational research investigating fungal cell biology, novel antifungal agents, mechanisms of antifungal resistance, and interactions between A. fumigatus and the host immune system.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Fungal Infection Research
Conduct postgraduate research focused on fungal infections, with a particular emphasis on the biology and pathogenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Aspergillus fumigatus Research
Investigate A. fumigatus, an opportunistic fungal pathogen associated with conditions such as:
- Allergic fungal diseases
- Asthma-related fungal conditions
- Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
- Aspergilloma
- Invasive aspergillosis
Fungal Cell Biology
Study fundamental aspects of fungal cell biology to understand the mechanisms that enable fungal pathogens to survive and cause disease.
Antifungal Drug Research
Investigate the mechanisms of action of novel antifungal agents and contribute to research aimed at improving the treatment of fungal infections.
Antifungal Resistance
Study the development and molecular mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungal pathogens.
Host–Pathogen Interactions
Investigate interactions between A. fumigatus and the host immune system, including mechanisms that allow the pathogen to:
- Cause infection
- Survive immune attacks
- Evade host immune responses
- Adapt to challenging host environments
Immune Cell Research
Study interactions between fungal pathogens and innate immune cells, particularly:
- Macrophages
- Neutrophils
Molecular & Cellular Biology
Apply a wide range of molecular and cellular biology techniques to investigate fungal biology and infection mechanisms.
Microorganism & Immune Cell Culture
Learn and apply techniques involving the cultivation of:
- Microorganisms
- Fungal cells
- Bacterial cells
- Immune cells
Genetic Manipulation
Work with genetically modified microorganisms and apply genetic approaches to investigate fungal biology and pathogenesis.
Advanced Microscopy & Imaging
Use advanced imaging approaches, including:
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy
- Live-cell imaging
- Automated fluorescence microscopy
Protein & Molecular Analysis
Apply molecular and biochemical techniques, including:
- PCR
- Genetic manipulation
- Protein biochemistry
- SDS-PAGE
- Western blotting
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Conduct antimicrobial and antifungal susceptibility testing to investigate fungal responses to therapeutic agents.
Bioinformatics Research
Apply bioinformatics and computational approaches to support research into fungal infections and related biological datasets.
🔬 Research Focus
This PhD studentship focuses on improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal infections, particularly those caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.
The research may involve:
- Fungal cell biology
- Medical mycology
- Aspergillus fumigatus pathogenesis
- Antifungal mechanisms of action
- Antifungal resistance
- Host–pathogen interactions
- Immune evasion
- Macrophage–fungus interactions
- Neutrophil–fungus interactions
- Molecular biology and genetics
- Protein biochemistry
- Advanced microscopy
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
- Bioinformatics
The position provides an opportunity to contribute to both fundamental and translational research addressing important challenges associated with fungal infections.
👨🔬 Your Role
The selected PhD student will be expected to:
- Undertake postgraduate research in the field of fungal infections.
- Investigate the biology and pathogenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Study fungal cell biology and molecular mechanisms of infection.
- Investigate the mechanisms of action of novel antifungal agents.
- Explore mechanisms of antifungal resistance.
- Study host–pathogen interactions involving innate immune cells.
- Cultivate microorganisms and immune cells.
- Apply molecular biology and genetic manipulation techniques.
- Conduct antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Perform protein and biochemical analyses.
- Use confocal and fluorescence microscopy techniques.
- Apply bioinformatics approaches where relevant.
- Participate in weekly departmental research meetings.
- Collaborate with other members of the research group and external research teams.
- Present research findings at national and international conferences.
- Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
🎯 Minimum Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A first-class or upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a Master’s degree in:
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Medicine
- Immunology
- Or a related discipline
- A strong interest in scientific research.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- A commitment to postgraduate research in microbiology and fungal infections.
⭐ Preferred Knowledge & Experience
The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in:
- Microbiology
- Cell biology
- Infection biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Antimicrobials
Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:
- Molecular biology
- PCR
- Plasmid cloning
- Protein biochemistry
- Signalling pathways
- Cell culture
- Bacterial culture
- Fungal culture
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Immunology
🗣️ Skills & Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- A willingness to work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to conduct basic and translational research in fungal infections.
- Hands-on research experience with Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Training in fungal cell biology and infection biology.
- Exposure to research on novel antifungal agents and drug resistance.
- Experience studying host–pathogen and immune cell interactions.
- Training in molecular biology and genetic manipulation.
- Practical experience with microbial and immune cell culture.
- Exposure to protein biochemistry and molecular analysis techniques.
- Training in confocal and automated fluorescence microscopy.
- Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and bioinformatics.
- Opportunities to collaborate with researchers in Ireland and internationally.
- Opportunities to present research at national and international scientific conferences.
- Support to publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- A structured doctoral training environment at Trinity College Dublin.
💼 Position Details
Position: PhD Studentship in Fungal Infections
Institution: Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Department: Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine
Laboratory: Sir Patrick Dun Laboratory
Supervisor: Professor Johannes Wagener, Professor of Clinical Microbiology
Location: St. James’s Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term
Research Focus: Fungal Infections and Aspergillus fumigatus
Funding: Stipend and Academic Fee Coverage
Core Research Areas: Medical Mycology | Fungal Cell Biology | Antifungal Research | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Immunology
Research Environment: Basic and Translational Research | Collaborative Research | International Collaboration
🧪 Key Technical Skills
The role involves experience or familiarity with:
- Microbiology
- Medical mycology
- Fungal biology
- Aspergillus fumigatus research
- Fungal cell biology
- Infection biology
- Host–pathogen interactions
- Molecular biology
- Molecular genetics
- PCR
- Plasmid cloning
- Genetic manipulation
- Microbial culture
- Fungal culture
- Bacterial culture
- Immune cell isolation and culture
- Protein biochemistry
- SDS-PAGE
- Western blotting
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
- Antifungal research
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Confocal microscopy
- Live-cell imaging
- Bioinformatics
- Immunology
🎓 PhD Programme
The successful candidate will join the structured Trinity College Dublin PhD Programme.
The doctoral programme includes:
- Structured postgraduate research training.
- Participation in taught modules.
- A minimum of 10 ECTS credits and a maximum of 30 ECTS credits.
- Regular departmental research meetings.
- Opportunities to interact with postgraduate researchers from related disciplines.
- Opportunities for scientific presentations and publications.
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copies of Academic Certificates
- Names of up to Three Academic References
Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file by email.
📩 Email: wagenerj@tcd.ie
Email Subject Line:
FI2026-F
Applicants should highlight their relevant experience and interest in microbiology, fungal infections, molecular biology, immunology, microbial culture, and infection biology in their application.
📅 Application Deadline
Closing Date: 12 Noon (GMT), 20 September 2026
📌 Job Details
Institution: Trinity College Dublin
Department: Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine
Laboratory: Sir Patrick Dun Laboratory
Position: PhD Studentship in Fungal Infections
Location: St. James’s Hospital Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term
Supervisor: Professor Johannes Wagener
Research Focus: Aspergillus fumigatus and Fungal Infections
Qualification: First-Class or 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree
Eligible Fields: Microbiology | Biology | Biochemistry | Molecular Medicine | Immunology | Related Disciplines
Key Research Areas: Fungal Cell Biology | Antifungal Resistance | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Immunology
Key Techniques: PCR | Molecular Biology | Protein Biochemistry | Cell Culture | Fluorescence Microscopy | Antimicrobial Testing | Bioinformatics
Funding: Stipend + Academic Fee Coverage
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: wagenerj@tcd.ie
Required Documents: Letter of Interest | CV | Academic Certificates | Up to Three Academic References
Email Subject: FI2026-F
Application Deadline: 12 Noon (GMT), 20 September 2026
Category
PhD Studentship | PhD in Microbiology | Fungal Infection Research | Medical Mycology | Aspergillus Research | Microbiology Jobs | Molecular Biology Research | Trinity College Dublin PhD | Ireland Research Positions | PhD Opportunities
🏷️ Tags
#PhDPosition #PhDStudentship #TrinityCollegeDublin #Microbiology #FungalInfections #AspergillusFumigatus #MedicalMycology #MolecularBiology #Immunology #AntifungalResearch
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