PhD Studentship in Oral Microbiome Research
SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCE, TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
DUBLIN DENTAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Four-Year SPC Full-Time Fully Funded PhD Studentship
Commencing September 2026
A new PhD position fully funded (€25,000 stipend and EU fees) by the Health Research Board is currently available for a student to investigate the molecular biology of the oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum.
The appointee will ultimately report to the Head of the Division of Oral Biosciences, but will report to Prof. Gary Moran on a day-to-day basis. Overall post management is undertaken by the Executive team of the DDUH comprising the CEO, Dean and Clinical Director.
Project Title: Analysis of the tumorigenicity of Fusobacterium nucleatumrecovered from potentially malignant disease using in vivoand in vitromodels
Fusobacterium species have been linked to tumour progression throughout the GI tract. AlthoughF. polymorphumis a common resident of the oral cavity, we have generated preliminary data showing that strains of F. polymorphumfrom dysplastic (pre-cancerous) sites are more capable of inducing cellular migration and invasion by oral cells compared to strains from healthy individuals. This project will investigate whether strains of F. polymorphumrecovered from oral dysplasia can promote malignant behaviour in oral cell xenografts using the in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. This will further validate our hypothesis that Fusobacteriumis a biologically relevant driver of malignant progression. The CAM model is a well validated and ethical approach to study tumour growth and angiogenesis and these studies will be carried out in collaboration with Prof. Ann Hopkins (RCSI Dublin) who has extensive experience of using this model.
Further information on the Oral Microbiome group in the DDUH can be found in our recent publications:
Galvin S, Honari B, Anishchuk S, Healy CM, Moran GP., Oral Leukoplakia Microbiome Predicts the Degree of Dysplasia and is Shaped by Smoking and Tooth Loss., Oral Diseases, 31, (6), 2025 DOI.
Crowley C, Selvaraj A, Hariharan A, Healy CM, Moran GP., Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. polymorphum recovered from malignant and potentially malignant oral disease exhibit heterogeneity in adhesion phenotypes and adhesin gene copy number, shaped by inter-subspecies horizontal gene transfer and recombination-derived mosaicism., Microbial genomics, 10, (3), 2024 DOI.
Selvaraj A, McManus G, Healy CM, Moran GP, Fusobacterium nucleatum induces invasive growth and angiogenic responses in malignant oral keratinocytes that are cell line- and bacterial strain-specific., Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2024 DOI.
Galvin, Sheila, Anishchuk, Sviatlana, Healy, Claire M., Moran, Gary P., Smoking, tooth loss and oral hygiene practices have significant and site-specific impacts on the microbiome of oral mucosal surfaces: a cross-sectional study, Journal of Oral Microbiology, 15, (1), 2023, p2263971 DOI.
Winning L, Moran G, McClory M, El Karim I, Lundy FT, Patterson CC, Linden D, Cullen KM, Kee F, Linden GJ., Subgingival microbial diversity and respiratory decline: A cross-sectional study., Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50, (7), 2023, p921 - 931 DOI
Elmaghrawy K, Fleming P, Fitzgerald K, Cooper S, Dominik A, Hussey S, Moran GP., The Oral Microbiome in Treatment-Naïve Paediatric IBD Patients Exhibits Dysbiosis Related to Disease Severity that Resolves Following Therapy., Journal of Crohn's colitis, 17, (4), 2023, p553-564 DOI.
The successful candidate will:
Hold (or expect to hold) a minimum of a 2.1 Bachelor’s Degree at QQI level 8 or a higher level degree (e.g. Masters level 9) in Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology or a related area.
Have excellent communication skills and be competent in scientific writing and oral presentations.
Be highly motivated and self-directed.
Have a minimum proficiency in all Microsoft packages.
Candidates will ideally have:
Previous experience of working in a research laboratory environment.
Have the ability to work in a team.
Have proven organisational, administrative, analytical and problem-solving skills; be able to identify potential difficulties and formulate solutions.
Have the ability to work on own initiative, prioritise and manage a number of projects.
General
Dublin Dental University Hospital will not be liable for travelling or other expenses incurred by candidates who may be invited to attend for interview.
Postgraduate EU fees will be paid and the studentship will be supported by an annual stipend of €25,000.
Closing date for applications is Friday, 31st July 2026 at noon.
In-person interviews to be scheduled promptly after the closing date.
Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Prof Gary Moran, Professor in Microbiology via email in the first instance [email protected].
Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae via Hirehive.
Offers are subject to Garda Vetting, References, Pre-employment Medical and CPD in various HSEland Training Programmes.
The Dublin Dental Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.
