PhD Studentship: Delivering plastic degrading genes into contaminated soils using bacterial megaplasmids

This PhD project at the University of East Anglia, hosted at the renowned John Innes Centre in collaboration with the Manchester Institute for Biotechnology, focuses on engineering plasmids to enhance the biodegradation of plastics in contaminated soils. Soil pollution by plastics such as PET presents major environmental challenges, and this research aims to address these through molecular microbiology and bioremediation. The project builds on recent discoveries of plasmid-encoded regulatory genes that can dramatically increase gene transfer rates between bacteria. By combining these regulatory genes with plastic biodegradation loci, the research seeks to create synthetic plasmids capable of spreading biodegradation traits throughout soil microbial communities. The successful candidate will employ molecular and environmental microbiology techniques, bioinformatics, and bioremediation assays to identify new plasmid regulatory genes, understand their mechanisms, and design synthetic plasmids with improved abilities to metabolise xenobiotics. The project will also assess the impact of these plasmids on bioremediation efficiency and the short- and long-term effects on microbial communities in agricultural soils. Training will be provided in molecular biology, environmental microbiology, and bioremediation science, within a collaborative and supportive research environment. The skills gained will be highly transferable and valuable for careers in both academia and industry. Entry requirements include a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 in biochemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, or related bioscience subjects, and an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (6 in each category). The position is full-time, starting 1 October 2026. Funding is available through the ARIES studentship, which covers tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant. International applicants may have the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees waived, but relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.