PhD Studentship: Investigating the molecular arms race between environmental archaea and their viruses, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2026 Entry

About the Partnership

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP).  The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners:  British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology,  the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.  The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:

• An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £20,780 p.a. for 2026/27) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
• Payment of university tuition fees
• The budget for project costs is £9,000 which can be used for computer, lab, and fieldwork costs necessary for you to conduct your research.
• There is also a conference budget of £2,000 and individual Training Budget of £1,000 for specialist training

Project Aims and Methods 

Archaea thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth, from salt lakes and volcanic springs to the human body. As major producers of methane and key players in the nitrogen cycle, they greatly impact global ecosystems. Archaea are constantly challenged by viruses, which outnumber cellular life by at least tenfold and thus act as powerful evolutionary drivers.  

Archaea and their viruses are engaged in a relentless arms race. While viruses evolve new infection strategies, archaea evolve new antiviral defence mechanisms. However, we still lack a clear picture of this process. This project will address this knowledge gap using a scale-spanning strategy, investigating viral and archaeal counter-adaptations in environmentally sourced cultures.   

Embedded in an interdisciplinary supervisory structure; Daum (archaeal structural biology), Moebius (host–virus evolution, mathematical modelling), and Verkade (correlative microscopy, VolumeEM), the student will be trained in cutting-edge techniques, including cryo-electron tomography, VolumeEM, confocal microscopy, omics, and mathematical modelling. Harnessing these techniques, the student will focus on how the halophile Haloferax gibbonsii is infected by its virus HFTV1, and how arising escape mutants prevent infection. In vitro evolution experiments will reveal how archaea and viruses co-adapt under sustained selective pressure, illuminating the molecular basis of their evolutionary arms race. 

Useful recruitment links:  

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: b.daum2@exeter.ac.uk

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