Fully Funded PhD: Bat Virome Dynamics in Rehabilitation

University of Essex; Essex; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Interdisciplinary training

Access to Quadram Institute

Research training grants

Supervisor support

Job summary

University of Essex offers a fully-funded ARIES studentship focusing on bat virome dynamics during rehabilitation. The student will collect non-invasive samples, perform shotgun metagenomics and conduct analyses in collaboration with the West Yorkshire Bat Group and Quadram Institute.

The project provides interdisciplinary training in wildlife ecology, molecular methods, sequencing, viral genomics, bioinformatics and quantitative analysis, with supervisor contact for queries.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic candidate with interest in viruses, genomics, ecology and wildlife conservation.
• Applicants from biological, ecological or computational backgrounds are encouraged.
• Previous molecular or computational experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Collect non-invasive faecal samples from individual bats at admission, during rehabilitation and before release.
• Perform shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterise viral diversity and enable genome reconstruction.
• Conduct bioinformatic and ecological analyses on viral communities and host factors.

Skills

Biology

Ecology

Microbiology

Genetics

Bioinformatics

Zoology

Job description

University of Essex offers a fully-funded ARIES studentship focusing on bat virome dynamics during rehabilitation. The student will collect non-invasive samples, perform shotgun metagenomics and conduct analyses in collaboration with the West Yorkshire Bat Group and Quadram Institute.

The project provides interdisciplinary training in wildlife ecology, molecular methods, sequencing, viral genomics, bioinformatics and quantitative analysis, with supervisor contact for queries.