AI-Assisted Design of Intelligent Antimicrobials for Gastrointestinal Disease Treatment

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Chengchen Zhang

Join this PhD project to develop AI-driven, metal-based smart antimicrobials targeting gastrointestinal infections and antimicrobial resistance. You will use cutting-edge AI drug design and microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology for rapid, animal-free drug screening. Ideal for students passionate about AI, drug discovery, and innovative infectious disease research.

This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to develop next-generation antimicrobial therapies to tackle gastrointestinal bacterial infections and the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). You will focus on designing novel metal-based antimicrobial agents using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted drug design techniques. These computational methods enable rapid molecular screening and structural optimization, accelerating the discovery of potent and selective therapeutics.

To test drug efficacy and safety, you will employ advanced microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models—miniaturized, biomimetic systems that replicate the human stomach environment in vitro without the need for animal testing. This innovative approach provides a more ethical, cost-effective, and physiologically relevant platform for drug evaluation.

Through this project, you will gain multidisciplinary expertise in AI-driven drug discovery, bioinorganic chemistry, microfluidics, and disease modeling. You will collaborate with experts in pharmaceutical sciences, materials engineering, and computational biology, working at the cutting edge of infectious disease research.

The project aims to produce new antimicrobial candidates with improved efficacy against resistant gastrointestinal pathogens and to pioneer platforms that streamline preclinical drug testing. This work has the potential to significantly impact global health by addressing critical treatment gaps and reducing reliance on animal models.

If you are passionate about leveraging AI and bioengineering to solve urgent medical challenges, this PhD project offers a unique and rewarding research journey.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in one of the following:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Bioengineering
• or a related discipline.

Closing date

31 December 2026. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships. For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) Select programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Electronic & Electrical Eng. (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Chengchen Zhang

Applications should include:

• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk