PRR Project

Summary

RATIONALE FOR THE NEED TO HIRE THIS CHAIRAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the foremost global public health threats, having been directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and an estimated indirect contribution to 4.95 million deaths. The global alarm is evident; in 2019, the WHO declared AMR among the top 10 global public health threats, while in July 2022, the European C    omission and the Member States, identified AMR as one of the top three priority health threats. AMR’s spread does not recognize country borders, affecting all regions across all income levels. Projections indicate that, by 2050, there will be more deaths by drug-resistant bacterial infections than by cancer, potentially imposing a staggering cost of up to USD 100 trillion on the world economy. AMR jeopardizes many gains in modern medicine, considering the high incidence in surgical procedures, medical device utilization and (multi)drug-resistant infections. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is the main driver in the increase of these latter infections. To worsen, there is an inadequate research and development pipeline, urgently calling for new antimicrobial strategies to tackle the public health menace posed by AMR. Central to AMR’s challenge is bacterial biofilm formation. Biofilms are a serious clinical concern, as they are associated with a broad range of infectious diseases, affecting both human tissues and biomaterials.  These infections are characterized by their tendency to recur, persist, and contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Biofilms confer protection, recalcitrance, and enhanced virulence due to multiple species co-existing. Within these polymicrobial communities, interactions between cells and the host are intensified, contributing to increased antibiotic resistance and treatment failure in biofilm-associated infectious diseases. Considering the ineffectiveness of current antibiotics, there is a growing expectation that infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and mediated by polymicrobial biofilms continue to escalate significantly. In response to this urgent global issue, CEB proposes 4 research positions that address distinct strategies to tackle the complexity of AMR. In this scientific profile, CEB aims to invest in a position focused on applied research to the development of novel advanced chemotherapies aimed at combating resistance associated with polymicrobial biofilms.SCIENTIFIC PROFILE REQUIREDThe ideal candidate should have a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or Biotechnology, with a background in antibiofilm chemotherapy, antibiotics, drug repurposing, multidrug resistance, as well as in polymicrobial biofilm-related infections. A good proven track record, demonstrating high quality research in this field, will be valued. Experience in doctoral supervision, management of research projects, and participation in outreach events will also be valued.TASKS TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE PROSPECTIVE RESEARCHERThe candidate to be recruited will be required to conduct original research focused on the design of advanced chemical drug-based therapies targeting clinically relevant bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains and their associated polymicrobial biofilms. Ideally this research will involve implementing models that mimic conditions related to these infections, with the ultimate goal of providing solutions to the worldwide issue of AMR. It is expected a solid contribution to the body of knowledge in this field, namely with scientific publications and/or patents.The selected candidate will also be required to be actively involved in grant proposal development, by participating in large R&D projects submission and also to secure his/her  research projects, as principal investigator. As such, project management will be a pivotal duty of this Chair.Recruiting  undergraduate students will also be pivotal for the successful development of this Chair. As such, formal supervision duties, both for MSc and PhD students, will be required.The selected researcher will also be encouraged to establish and develop new collaborative networks with both national and international researchers, that can complement the ongoing  efforts related to AMR associated with polymicrobial biofilms. In line with this duty, it is expected that the candidate will participate in international events.The chosen candidate will also be required to participate in CEB outreach events and will be given the liberty to propose and organize novel outreach events. Furthermore, the candidate will also be stimulated to participate in the governance of CEB, as an active member of its scientific council, and will be encouraged to engage in specialized governing committees.