PhD Studentship - Understanding the Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Virus and Bacteria Host Shifts in UK Moths

Emerging infectious diseases often arise when pathogens jump into new host species, yet the factors determining which hosts share viral and bacterial pathogens remain poorly understood. Using an unparalleled dataset comprising meta-genomic data from >7000 individual moths representing >330 UK moth-species as part of an ongoing NERC PtF grant, this project will address:

1. How frequently microbes (viruses and bacteria) shift between host species
2. How host species relatedness, ecology and abundance, together with environmental conditions, shape patterns of infection

The project will provide fundamental insights into the processes underlying pathogen emergence while generating knowledge relevant to conservation, biocontrol and applied virology.

The Doctoral Researcher will combine sequencing, phylogenetic comparative analyses, ecological datasets and statistical modelling to characterise moth-virus associations and identify predictors of virus sharing. Analyses will integrate information on host distributions, abundance, environmental conditions, life-history traits and recent range expansions. The student will have significant flexibility to refine hypotheses, develop analytical approaches and pursue emerging research directions, enabling ownership of the project.

Training will be delivered through a combination of “on-the-job” supervision, formal training and collaborative research. The supervisory team have extensive experience, with former team members going into roles in academia and government-agencies. They will provide one-to-one training in genomics/bioinformatics/phylogenetics, statistical modelling and reproducible research. Additional training in data science, project management, research integrity and communication will be enabled through training programmes, workshops and conferences. By progressively leading analyses, publications and presentations, the Doctoral Researcher will develop the skills needed for an independent research career.

The project brings together complementary expertise in virology/microbiology, genomics, evolutionary biology and ecology across GW4+ partners (Bath) and existing collaborators (Edinburgh, Butterfly Conservation). Access to unique long-term moth monitoring datasets, collaborative visits and co-supervision will provide exposure to diverse perspectives, methods and professional networks, creating an outstanding interdisciplinary training and research environment.

Funding

For eligible students the studentship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend.

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