One PhD Studentship: Multi-layered bacterial genome defences: linking molecular mechanisms to bacteria-MGE conflicts in single cells, populations, and communities, [computational biology; mathematical modelling] - PhD (Funded)

Project Title: Multi-layered bacterial genome defences: linking molecular mechanisms to bacteria-MGE conflicts in single cells, populations, and communities, [computational biology; mathematical modelling] - PhD (Funded)

Location: Ecology and Conservation, Penryn Campus, Cornwall

Funding: The studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study

The University of Exeter’s Department of Ecology and Conservation is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by the University of Exeter as part of a BBSRC sLoLA grant to commence on 25 September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

Project Description:

Bacteria have evolved sophisticated defences against infections by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including phages and plasmids, that shape genome structure and function. The recent discovery of dozens of diverse and formerly unknown defence systems that cluster in so-called 'defence islands' has led to the hypothesis that their immune systems consist of multiple integrated layers that act in concert to constrain MGE infections, analogous to how our own innate and adaptive immune systems work together to combat pathogen infections.

The aim of this project is to support a multi-disciplinary team of researchers in their quest to unravel how complete, multi-layered, bacterial immune systems have evolved and operate at the level of individual molecules, cells, populations, and microbial communities. Specifically, the successful candidate will apply mathematical modelling techniques, such as population-level deterministic models and spatially-explicit individual-based frameworks, to generate new evolutionary theory to predict the ecological conditions underlying the selection for or against multi-layered defences.

Model development and testing will be done iteratively and in close collaborations with experimental scientists and thus requires good communications skills and interest in a multitude of scientific disciplines.

This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £17,668 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay International tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£22k pa) and no stipend.

International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

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