Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme rainfall and flooding, placing pressure on ageing wastewater systems and leading to the release of untreated sewage into rivers and homes. These events can reshape microbial communities and elevate the risk of human exposure to harmful pathogens.

This project will use cutting-edge metagenomic, genomic and transcriptomic sequencing to investigate how microbial diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and key pathogens (e.g. E. coli, Leptospira, Norovirus and Exophiala) fluctuate in river systems and flooded residential environments. Samples will be collected regularly from sewage-impacted rivers and from properties affected by flood events. Data will be analyses using advanced bioinformatics to characterise community structure, resistance genes and mutations, and potential environmental-clinical links.

Working in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Environment Agency (EA), the project will provide insights to support environmental modelling, risk assessment, and climate resilience planning. Students will gain hands-on experience in environmental sampling, short- and long-read sequencing, microbial genomics and bioinformatics, whilst contributing to vital public health research. This multidisciplinary project suits candidates interested in environmental microbiology, genomics, and climate-driven infectious disease.

The project will be supervised by Johanna Rhodes (UoB), Willem van Schaik (UoB), Marie Chattaway (UKHSA) and Claire Jenkins (UKHSA).

Applications of a two page CV and covering letter including your experience, suitability and motivation should be sent to hpru-phgenomics@contacts.bham.ac.uk by 9th January 2026.