PhD Studentship: Understanding the Evolution of How Plants Perceive Changes in the Environment

University of East Anglia; Norwich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded

Maintenance stipend

Job summary

University of East Anglia invites applications for an ARIES doctoral training scholarship to study calcium signalling in plants, focusing on Marchantia polymorpha and Arabidopsis-related pathways. The project combines physiology, bioimaging and gene expression analysis to understand stress responses in changing environments.

The studentship includes fees, a maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a.2026/27) and a training grant, with some opportunities for international applicants.

Qualifications

• Background in plant biology, molecular biology or biochemistry.
• Interest in environmental stresses and gene expression analysis.
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary research lab.

Responsibilities

• Assess growth and physiology of Marchantia polymorpha under different stresses.
• Use bioimaging to measure calcium signals and CRISPR to modify genes.
• Perform qRT-PCR to quantify gene expression and contribute to manuscript preparation.

Skills

Plant biology

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Environmental science

Education

2:1 Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRISPR gene editing

Job description

Scientific Background

Plants modify the concentration of calcium ions in their cells in response to different environmental stimuli and stresses. These changes in cellular calcium concentration trigger many downstream responses, including re-programming of gene expression and coordination of growth. Calcium signalling pathways are therefore essential for plants to respond and adapt to environmental stresses.

Flowering plants, such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, have complicated networks of proteins involved in calcium signalling pathways. Genetic redundancy is observed and has hindered further study of these signalling pathways. Our recent genomic analyses have revealed that gene families encoding components of calcium signalling pathways are considerably smaller in other model plant species, including in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The study of these pathways in M. polymorpha therefore offer a unique opportunity to understanding calcium signalling pathways in plants and provide an evolutionary assessment of how plants respond and adapt to environmental stresses in the context of global climate change.

Research methodology

In this project, we will explore how the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha grows and responds to different stresses in the natural environment. The student will evaluate growth and physiology in plants grown under different environmental conditions, use bioimaging techniques to measure calcium signals, and use qRT-PCR to measure gene expression.

They will also build on our recent work identifying stress signalling genes and test how knockout of these genes by CRISPR gene editing can be used to alter stress tolerance in plants.

Training

This multi-disciplinary project will offer the student excellent training opportunities in plant biology (including plant physiology and stress biology), cell biology, and the molecular genetics of plant environmental stress signalling. Furthermore, the student will receive training in data analysis (including transcriptomics) and manuscript preparation, whilst also having regular opportunities to present their work at national and international meetings.

Person specification

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with strong interests in plant biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and the natural environment, and who can thrive in a multi-disciplinary research laboratory. Candidates should have a background in biological or environmental sciences, and require a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree.

Funding details

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions(opens in a new window). Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

£21,805 p.a