PhD Studentship: Functional Genomics of Sexually Antagonistic Selection

University of East Anglia; Norwich; Vor Ort; GBP 22.000 - 27.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Tuition fees paid

Living stipend

Zusammenfassung

University of East Anglia in Norwich offers a four-year Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship. The project investigates sexually antagonistic genes, combining bioinformatics, genome engineering, and advanced sequencing to reveal how these genes influence fitness and life-history traits across sexes.

You will work with a supervisory team spanning evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, statistics, and CRISPR genome engineering, with access to cross-institute collaborations in

Aufgaben

• Identify and characterize consistent sexually antagonistic loci across multiple studies.
• Validate their effects on sex-specific fitness and traits using CRISPR-Cas9 allele swaps in Drosophila.
• Probe underlying mechanisms from gene regulation to alternative splicing.

Kenntnisse

Bioinformatics

Genomics

CRISPR

Evolutionary genetics

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Long-read sequencing

Single-cell transcriptomics

Genome engineering

Jobbeschreibung

Why do harmful genes persist in populations instead of being removed by natural selection? One answer lies in sexual antagonism: when a genetic variant benefits males but harms females, or vice versa. This genetic tug-of-war is one of evolution’s most intriguing puzzles. It can create a burden on populations, influence human health, and even help maintain the variation needed for species to adapt to new environments.

Recent work from the supervisor’s lab has revealed consistent sets of sexually antagonistic genes across independent studies in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This project will take the next big step: moving from finding sexually antagonistic genes to uncovering what makes them special, how they affect fitness and life history traits, and the molecular mechanisms of the sexual conflict and its resolution.

You will combine cutting-edge bioinformatics, genome engineering, and state-of-the-art sequencing technologies to:

• Identify and characterise consistent sexually antagonistic loci across multiple studies.
• Validate their effects on sex-specific fitness and traits using CRISPR-Cas9 allele swaps in fruit flies.
• Probe underlying mechanisms, from gene regulation to alternative splicing.

This PhD offers the scope to develop independence - pursing promising leads on interesting biology - while addressing one of evolution’s most longstanding challenges. Beyond advancing fundamental evolutionary biology, the project has broad relevance to conservation, pest management, aging, and human health. For example, many sex-specific disease phenotypes are maintained due to their genetic bases having sexually antagonistic fitness benefits in the opposite sex.

You will receive outstanding interdisciplinary training in bioinformatics, molecular genetics, and functional genomics. The supervisory team offers expertise spanning evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, biological statistics, and CRISPR genome engineering. Additional training and collaborative opportunities are available at neighbouring institutes throughout the broader Norwich Research Park in areas such as long-read sequencing and single-cell transcriptomics.

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.