About the Project

Project Title: Evaluating the impact of rapid syndromic molecular testing for respiratory viruses in adults presenting to hospital with acute respiratory infection.

Lead Institute / Faculty: Medicine

Main Supervisor: Professor Tristan Clark

Other members of the supervisory team: Dr Nathan Brendish

Duration of the award: 48 months

Closing date: 3rd July 2026

Shortlisting by: 10th July 2026

Interview Panel Date: 22nd July 2026

Start date: 21st September 2026

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the commonest reasons for hospitalisation. The aetiology of ARI cannot be determined clinically and the rapid identification of viruses is needed to guide appropriate antiviral and antibiotic use in addition to isolation facility use to protect vulnerable patient from hospital acquired infection. Laboratory PCR testing for viruses such as Influenza A and B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 is accurate but takes several hours to generate results.

Spotfire (BioMérieux) is a novel rapid multiplex PCR platform which tests comprehensively for a panel of respiratory viruses, delivers results in around 15 minutes and will soon have regulatory approval for use in the UK. Initial data suggest that it is highly accurate and easy to use but the impact of using the test on clinical outcomes is unknown.

This project will evaluate the clinical impact of the using the Spotfire respiratory panel in patients with suspected acute respiratory infection (ARI) on key outcome measures including hospitalisation, antibiotic and antiviral use, and infection control facility use.

Adults presenting with suspected ARI will be recruited in the emergency department (ED) and randomised to either testing with the Spotfire respiratory panel or to routine clinical care. Upper respiratory tract samples will be prospectively obtained from consented patients and will be analysed on the Spotfire platform at the point of care, with results given immediately to patients and clinical teams. Data on clinical outcomes including time in ED, hospitalisation, antibiotic and antiviral use, and isolation facility use will be collected retrospectively and compared between the groups.

This studentship will offer unparalleled training in all aspects of clinical trials methodology and will also include training elements in qualitative methodology and the assessment of in-vitro diagnostic test performance.

The successful candidate is likely to have the following qualifications:

• A 1st or 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline and/or second degree with a related Masters.
• Experience of clinical research is welcomed but not essential
• Allied health professionals are encouraged to apply