PhD Studentship: Can a Tree Remember a Drought? Understanding the Mechanisms of Tree Memory University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

[Funding covers annual stipend, tuition fees at home-fee level, and a Research Training Support Grant. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through the CENTA3 DLA. International students eligible for up to 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover relocation or living costs for international students.]

This PhD studentship at the University of Birmingham explores the fascinating question: Can a tree remember a drought? The project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying 'tree memory' by investigating how environmental information, such as drought events, is recorded in the DNA of trees through epigenetic marks, particularly DNA methylation. Trees, as long-lived and immobile organisms, must adapt to changing environmental conditions and stresses throughout their lifespans. Recent advances in genomics have shown that environmental cues can leave stable, heritable epigenetic marks on DNA, forming a type of biological memory that can persist in plant tissues and even be transmitted to progeny.

The research will focus on extracting DNA from different parts of tree rings and comparing their epigenetic profiles. By associating changes in DNA methylation with historical and ecological records of drought, the project seeks to directly link molecular and physical responses in tree rings. This interdisciplinary approach will, for the first time, connect dendrochronology, ecology, and epigenetic data in trees, providing new insights into how trees adapt to environmental changes over time.

The studentship is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through the CENTA3 DLA, covering an annual stipend, tuition fees at the home-fee level, and a Research Training Support Grant. International students are eligible for up to 30% of the cohort, though funding does not cover relocation or living costs. Applicants should have at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent, and international applicants must meet the University of Birmingham’s English language requirements.

For more information and to apply, visit the CENTA studentship page. The application deadline is 7 January 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in plant biology, molecular ecology, environmental adaptation, and genomics to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of biology and environmental science.