Phage Discovery and Next-Generation Therapies for Public Health in the Post-Antibiotic Era
Phage Discovery and Next-Generation Therapies for Public Health in the Post-Antibiotic Era
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major public health challenge in the 21st century, exacerbated by the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in human medicine, agriculture, and veterinary practices. The effectiveness of existing antibiotics is declining, while the development of new drugs remains stagnant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 700,000 people die each year from antibiotic-resistant infections, a number that could reach 10 million by 2050 without decisive action.
In this post-antibiotic era, bacteriophages — viruses that specifically target bacteria — emerge as a promising therapeutic alternative. Numerous case studies and clinical trials have demonstrated phage efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens. However, phage resources remain limited in many regions, particularly in North Africa, where the burden of resistant infections continues to grow.
In Morocco, despite favorable ecological diversity, therapeutic and biotechnological applications of phages remain largely unexplored, and no structured national phage bank exists. This project aims to discover, isolate, and characterize phages targeting key pathogenic bacteria, with the goal of developing applications in public health, agriculture, and food safety.
Research Environment
Candidates are expected to carry out their research full-time within the structures of the Euromed University of Fes.
There is also a possibility of an international co-tutelle PhD program with Spain.
PhD Student’s Responsibilities
- Conduct original and independent research in the field of bacteriophage discovery, antimicrobial resistance, and phage-based therapies;
- Design and perform experimental work on phage isolation, characterization, genomic analysis, etc.;
- Produce high-quality scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals (Scopus-indexed);
- Participate actively in doctoral seminars, workshops, scientific training, and international conferences;
- Contribute to the scientific life of the university (research activities, collaborative projects, scientific events);
- Respect ethical standards, biosafety regulations, research timelines, and institutional rules of the doctoral program.
Candidate Profile
- Academic background in biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or related life sciences fields;
- Strong interest in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacteriophage biology, phage therapy, and microbial ecology;
- Solid laboratory skills in microbiology and molecular biology, with interest in genomics and bioinformatics;
- Strong analytical, scientific writing, and research skills;
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment;
- Proficiency in English (scientific communication); knowledge of French is an asset.
The application file must include the following documents:
- CV with photo
- A cover letter
- A copy of diplomas
- A copy of academic transcripts
- A copy of CIN/Passport
Submission of the Application File
The application file must be sent to the Doctoral Studies Center (CEDoc) of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes by email no later than February 14, 2026, to the following email address:
For More Information
Administrative Affairs Officer of the CEDoc:
Ms. Boutaina Jai Mansouri –
b.jai-mansouri@emadu.ueuromed.org
Director of Research and of the CEDoc:
Prof. Abdelghafour Marfak –
a.marfak@ueuromed.org
Thesis Supervision
Thesis Supervisor:
Pr. Ismail Moukadiri –
i.moukadiri@ueuromed.org