PhD Studentship - Understanding the Evolution of Calcium Signal Decoding Mechanisms in Plants

[Fully funded 4-year PhD studentship including payment of tuition fees, annual stipend of £20,780, and Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per annum (Research Council Funded).] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia focuses on understanding the evolution of calcium signal decoding mechanisms in plants, with a particular emphasis on the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Calcium signalling is a fundamental process that enables plants to respond and adapt to environmental stimuli and stresses by modifying cellular calcium ion concentrations, which in turn triggers downstream responses such as gene expression reprogramming. While flowering plants like Arabidopsis thaliana possess extensive protein networks for calcium signalling, genetic redundancy has limited further study. Recent genomic analyses have shown that gene families involved in calcium signalling are smaller in other model species, such as Marchantia polymorpha, offering a unique opportunity to dissect these pathways with less genetic complexity. The project will employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry to investigate calcium signalling and decoding mechanisms. The research aims to identify new targets for improving stress tolerance in crop species. The studentship is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), which provides a comprehensive 4-year PhD research experience, professional development, and research skills training. All students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) to gain valuable work experience. The funding package includes payment of tuition fees, an annual stipend of £20,780, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. Applicants must have at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 degree and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The position is full-time, starting on 1 October 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in February 2026. For further details on eligibility and application procedures, visit the NRPDTP website.