drawing The Whelan lab is located in the Michael Smith building on the University of Manchester campus in Manchester, UK. We are part of the School of Biological Sciences and Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics (EIGEN). The Whelan lab is an activate member of the Microbial Evolution Research at Manchester (MERMan) group, a collective of 14 PIs and >50 research staff who are colocalized in high-end laboratory facilities and form a thriving, collaborative research environment.




Join us!

Current open positions in our group:

PDRA

early 2025 start, 2.3-year position

This soon-to-be advertised Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and open to both UK nationals and international candidates. This position is for a bioinformatic/dry-lab candidate who will develop new software and conduct analyses on microbial assocation network data generated from metagenomic sequencing of the cystic fibrosis lung microbiome. The opening and closing dates for this position are TBA; check back here for more details in the coming weeks.




PDRA

early 2025 start, 3-year position

This soon-to-be advertised Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and open to both UK nationals and international candidates. This position is for a microbiologist interested in high throughput microbe-pathogen competition assays and use of a Drosophila melanogaster chronic infection model to investigate the cystic fibrosis lung microbiome. The opening and closing dates for this position are TBA; check back here for more details in the coming weeks.




PhD STUDENTSHIP

autumn 2025 start

Prof Mike Brockhurst and I are seeking an individual with interest and/or experience in bioinformatics and microbiology to apply for a University of Manchester Bicentenary PhD studentship entitled "Understanding the evolution of transmissibility in bacterial pathogens". In this project, the student will use pangenomics, phylogenetics, and evolutionary analyses to investigate how trasmissible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adapt to the host and whether this adaptation is associated with evolutionary trade-offs. For more information and to apply, please visit findaphd.com. Application deadline: 10 January 2025.




PhD STUDENTSHIP

autumn 2025 start

As part of the BBSRC North West Doctoral (NWD) Programme in Bioscience Prof Jo Fothergill, Prof Mike Brockhurst, and I are encouraging applications for a PhD studentship entitled "Understanding how commensal bacteria modulate the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa". This project is a lab-based project - with some bioinformatic work - that aims to understand how microbes can interact with Pseudomonas aeruginosa to change its pathogenecity. One way that the student will use to explore these questions is via use of a Drosophila melanogaster chronic infection model. Experience with traditional microbial techniques and/or working with Drosophila melanogaster is an assest. For more information and to apply, please visit the NWD webpage and findaphd.com. Application deadline: 31 January 2025.




PhD STUDENTSHIP

autumn 2025 start

Funded as part of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Innovation Hub (CF-PULSE) recently awarded to Prof. Alex Horsley and team, Prof Mike Brockhurst, and I are seeking applications for a PhD studentship entitled "Ecological and evolutionary strain-level dynamics of key pathogens in the cystic fibrosis lung microbiome.". This is a lab-based project - with some bioinformatic work - that aims to understand the ecological and evolutionary changes in the lung microbiome that occur during pulmonary exacerbation. In this project, the student will culture sputum samples in collaboration with our clinical colleagues, and isolate a large number of strains in order to produce a CF strain biobank. Then, the student will use our robots/other equipment to conduct high-throughput phenomic assays (e.g., for antimicrobial resistance, secondary metabolite production, swimming, swarming etc.) to quantify evolutionary changes over the course of exacerbation. Finally, we will use genomics to identify the accessory gene content of each organism's pangenome. For more information and information on how to apply, please visit findaphd.com. Please note that this opportunity if only open to UK/home-funded students. Application deadline: TBA.





If you are interested in positions within the Lab, email Fiona your CV, and a short statement of interest.

The Whelan lab would be honoured to host applications to The British Academy's Fellowships for Researchers at Risk programme. If you work on anything vaguely related to our Research interests, please get in touch- I would be happy to help guide the submission of an application.

Additionally, we are always interested in individuals who would like to apply for scholarships or fellowships. Some options of funding opportunities follow:

Postdoctoral Fellowships:

Doctoral/Postgraduate Fellowships: