PhD Studentship: Cryptic fitness consequences of a selfish X chromosome, 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

Selfish X chromosomes are a fascinating form of ‘unfair’ mendelian genetics. Males bearing a selfish X can sire only female offspring as Y-bearing sperm are destroyed during spermatogenesis by the selfish X, likely through the action of toxin/antitoxin-like systems. This biology is found in flies and rodents, and likely exists in other taxa that are less easily studied. Population genetics research has focused primarily on selfish X fecundity effects, alongside roles for selfish chromosomes in driving speciation. However, these chromosomes commonly bear multiple inversions to suppress recombination, maintaining genetic linkage of toxin/antitoxin-like systems. As a result, these chromosomes accumulate deleterious mutations that are unaccounted for in existing gene drive models.  

The student will investigate various stress parameters to reveal cryptic consequences of the selfish chromosome of Drosophila testacea, chosen for its newly-described genetic tools allowing individuals to be genotyped by eye. Key findings will be tested in additional species. The student will influence developing research directions based on initial screens. The student will learn gene-editing, molecular biology, microbiology, and population genetics modelling. The supervisory team includes experts in infection and stress responses, reproductive biology, and population genetics, providing the student the opportunity to develop expertise in key disciplines. 

Useful recruitment links:  

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

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