PhD Studentship: Investigating Host Penetration by the Rice Blast Fungus

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Frank Menke

The world’s food supply is under pressure from climate change, shortages of water as well as agriculture pests and diseases. One of the most devastating diseases of rice is caused by blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae), which also is the causal agent of the recent wheat blast outbreak in Asia. 

Rice blast infections start when spores land on leaf surfaces, attach and germinate. The hydrophobic leaf surface triggers germlings to develop an appressorium, a single celled infection structure that generates enormous turgor pressure required to penetrate the rice leaf surface. Understanding how appressoria develop and how the host leaf is penetrated is important to devise strategies to prevent rice blast disease and other important cereal diseases. 

This PhD project will investigate the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, Mps1, which plays an essential role in appressorium development and host penetration. Deletion of the MPS1 gene abolishes pathogenicity of the fungus. Very little is known regarding how upstream components of the Mps1 MAPK pathway are activated, or how the kinase cascade precisely exerts its activity. This project builds on recent work that has established phosphoproteomic methods for analysing the Pmk1 pathway, revealing its direct targets for the first time (Oses-Ruiz et al., 2021 Nat Microb 6:1383-97; Cruz-Mireles et al., 2024 Cell 187 (10): 2557-73)

This project will provide broad training in fungal biology, molecular plant pathology, proteomics, protein biochemistry, molecular genetics and advanced cell biology at one of the premier centres for plant microbe interaction research, The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich. We seek an ambitious student interested in a journey of intellectual development while analysing of one of the most important signalling pathways for the regulation of fungal virulence, so far described.

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. 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 25 or 26 August 2026. 

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply. Please note the guidance for the programme Personal and Research Statements, which the programme template documents must be used in the application. https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/

To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we use bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website only and must be used for these sections of the application form.

Entry Requirements

At least a 2:1 Bachelors degree.

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 DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/7 stipend rate: £21,805), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

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