Back to search results

PhD Studentship: Understanding Genome Evolution in Miscanthus Hybrids for Sustainable Bioenergy

University of East Anglia - Earlham Institute

Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Norwich
Funding for: UK Students, EU Students, International Students
Funding amount: £20,780 2025/6 stipend rate
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 16th October 2025
Closes: 2nd December 2025
Reference: DE-VEGA_E26DTP

Primary supervisor - Dr Jose De Vega

This project aims to determine how hybridisation and polyploidisation independently and jointly shape transcriptional evolution in Miscanthus hybrids, and to investigate how regulatory, epigenetic, and structural mechanisms contribute to the balance or dominance among subgenomes.

Miscanthus is a notable bioenergy crop, capable of growing on marginal land and contributing to carbon emission reduction. However, the main commercial variety is a naturally sterile triploid hybrid limiting opportunities for improvement through traditional breeding.

This project aims to understand how hybridisation and genome duplication (ploidisation) affect gene regulation and stability, with the goal of developing new, fertile Miscanthus hybrids that can accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Hybridisation and polyploidisation often trigger genomic shock, a range of regulatory and structural instabilities, including structural variation, shifts in subgenome dominance, and epigenetic reprogramming.

This project will explore transcriptional changes in both natural and synthetic Miscanthus hybrids across different ploidy levels, focusing on how genome merging alters gene expression, subgenome contributions, and epigenetic regulation over evolutionary time and under stress conditions.

You will perform controlled glasshouse experiments with Miscanthus genotypes, in collaboration with colleagues in IBERS-Aberystwyth. You will generate and analyse RNA-seq and DNA methylation data to measure homoeolog-specific expression, identify non-additive expression patterns, and examine epigenetic and structural signatures associated with genome dominance.

Transposable element distribution and activity will also be analysed using long-read sequencing. This project is primarily computational and offers comprehensive interdisciplinary training in plant genomics, bioinformatics, and statistical modelling, as well as practical skills in horticulture, experimental design, and data analysis.

Working in the De Vega Lab at the Earlham Institute and collaborating closely with researchers at IBERS, you will have access to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and a fully equipped molecular laboratory.

You will be part of a well-supported PhD and Postdoctoral community, with expert supervision and strong peer support throughout.

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/.

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.

We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

PhD tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
 
More PhDs from University of East Anglia

Show all PhDs for this organisation …

More PhDs like this
Join in and follow us

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge