Anglia Ruskin University ARU
About the Project
Fixed term contract for 3 years, commencing September 2024.
Bursary of £19,237 per annum and a full fee-waiver for UK tuition fees.
Closing date: 31 May 2024
Interview date: TBC June 2024
About Anglia Ruskin University:
Anglia Ruskin is a vibrant workplace and our university is recognised both nationally and internationally. We have ambitious plans for the future, and we are determined that our students and staff will realise their full potential. Our main campuses in the cities of Cambridge, Chelmsford, London and Peterborough have been transformed with major capital investment. With an annual turnover of over £200m, we are a major force for higher education and one of the largest universities in the East of England.
About the position:
Somatic mutations are genetic changes which occur in the cells of organisms during their lifetime. These somatic mutations lead to an increasing ‘mosaic’ of genetic variation within an organism. They can have profound effects including the development of cancer and they have long been theorised to be a driver of ageing. The principles and consequences of somatic evolution are an emerging field in biology yet remain understudied in plants. Plants are particularly interesting because mutations that occur in meristematic tissues will be passed on to all descendent cells, and eventually the gametes at branching termini, blurring the distinction between somatic and germline evolution.
This PhD aims to investigate somatic mutation rates and processes in plants using different sequencing technologies in a model organism and in wild populations. Annual Arabidopsis and ancient, long-lived trees such as oaks (Quercus) offer two ends of the lifespan scale in plants, providing tractable systems in which to investigate the principles of somatic evolution in plants. In recent years excellent genomic resources have been developed across a wide range of model and non-model plant species – for example the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) has produced chromosomal-level assemblies for both Arabidopsis and Quercus robur (English Oak). Using these systems, and benefitting from open-source data from DToL, we will:
- investigate somatic mutational processes across different age classes in Arabidopsis
- compare sequencing technologies in calling somatic mutations in a long-lived oak tree
- look across a population of age classes in oak trees to see how somatic mutation rate varies
The student will benefit from a very active and interdisciplinary collaborative network across Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Cambridge, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Through established partnerships, the student will have access to DToL project resources. A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and transferable and professional skills. The student will develop skills in experimental design in both field collection and plant growth experiments and how to produce (this may involve laser-capture microdissection and/or flow sorting of cell populations) and analyse genomic data (duplex and long read sequencing) for somatic evolutionary studies.
About the Studentship:
A 3-year studentship is offered, intended to start in September 2024, providing a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only available as a full-time position and to UK candidates.
Project location: Cambridge campus. Prospective candidates who would not be Cambridge-based are encouraged to contact the principal supervisor prior to application (contact details below).
Candidates for this PhD Studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD within 3 years.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant level 7 (or equivalent) qualification (e.g., Masters degree). An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, the University will look closely at the qualities, skills, and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful and timely completion.
A strong interest in experimental work and data analysis is required, along with the ability to communicate scientific work. Experience in bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, and/or genomics is highly desired.
How to apply:
To apply, please visit Biology PhD, click ‘Apply online’ and complete the application form for full-time study with a start date of September 2024. Please ensure the reference ‘PhD Studentship: Somatic evolution in plants’ is clearly stated on the application form, under the title ‘Outline of your proposed research’.
Within this section of the application form, applicants should include a 500-word outline of the skills that they would bring to this research project and detail any previous relevant experience.
Interested applicants should direct initial queries about the project to Dr Max Carter-Brown via email: [email protected]. For enquiries regarding the process and eligibility please contact [email protected].
Interviews are scheduled to take place in June 2024.
We value diversity at Anglia Ruskin University and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Closing Date: 31 May 2024.
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