PhD Studentship: Understanding Host Compatibility in the Marchantia-Phytophthora System

Primary supervisor - Dr Phil Carella

The fossil record demonstrates that filamentous microbes invaded ancient plant cells with intracellular hyphal structures over 450 million years ago. To this day, a rich diversity of extant land plant taxa are colonized by detrimental and beneficial microbes, yet much of our knowledge has focused on the evolutionarily young angiosperm lineage of flowering plants. To better understand how distantly-related land plants defend themselves against pathogen infection, our group investigates the molecular genetic mechanisms controlling disease resistance in the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. In particular, we focus on interactions with fungus-like filamentous oomycete phytopathogens belonging to the genus Phytophthora, which provide a unique platform to compare host responses to infection across distantly-related land plant lineages.

The goal of this project is to explore the delicate balance between disease resistance and susceptibility to filamentous pahogens in M. polymorpha. Using comparative macroevolutionary analyses, molecular genetics, and multi-omics approaches, the candidate will investigate widely-conserved and lineage-specific aspects of liverwort immunity in addition to the virulence mechanisms employed by broad host Phytophthora species to promote infection across distantly related host plants. This multidisciplinary project is based in the laboratory of Dr. Phil Carella, located in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the John Innes Centre. It provides an exciting opportunity to explore disease resistance in the emerging model liverwort M. polymorpha and to develop skills across plant pathology, land plant evolution, microbial virulence, and bioinformatics. Applications are welcomed from students across the biological sciences that are interested in the evolution of plant-pathogen interactions.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study: Full time

Start date: 1 October 2026

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

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