PhD Studentship: Leveraging Genomic Technologies to Investigate the Molecular Basis of Sea Lice Resistance PhD (Funded)

Main Information:

The University of Exeter’s Department of Biosciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by CEFAS and the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences to commence on 22 September 2025 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 £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study and a research budget of £21,000 for conferences, lab, field and research expenses.  The student would be based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Project Background:

Sea lice increasingly threaten wild and farmed salmonid populations around the world, leading to substantial animal welfare concerns and economic losses. These ectoparasites feed on the skin of their fish hosts, causing physiological stress and increasing susceptibility to secondary infections. The Atlantic Salmon aquaculture industry spends hundreds of millions of pounds (£) globally each year on treatments, yet costs are expected to continue rising due to climate change-driven increases in sea lice abundance and the ongoing evolution of resistance within sea lice populations to existing treatments. A shift from reactive treatments to proactive strategies—such as enhancing salmonids’ innate immunity to sea lice—may offer a more sustainable solution. However, the mechanisms underlying sea lice resistance remain largely unknown.

A promising solution may lie in uncovering the molecular basis of the variation in sea lice resistance observed both within and among salmonid species. By leveraging cutting-edge genomic technologies and bioinformatic tools, this project will compare the systemic responses to sea lice across resistant and susceptible salmonid species and populations. The outcomes of this research will directly contribute to the development of biotechnological solutions, aimed at enhancing sea lice resistance in salmonids, thereby improving sustainability and animal welfare.

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