University of Southampton
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Fully Funded PhD in Macroevolution of Seastars University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Geology
Funding
Fully funded for UK only.
Deadline
Nov 15, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton

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About this position
Fully funded PhD project at the University of Southampton on the macroevolution of seastars, with a focus on deep-sea echinoderms, biodiversity patterns, and evolutionary history in marine systems.
The project uses a multidisciplinary approach combining phylogenomics, taxonomy, biogeography, comparative phylogenetics, and high-resolution imaging. The student will work with recently collected samples as well as historical material from the Natural History Museum and the Discovery Collections, generate phylogenomic data using molecular techniques, expand a distributional database, identify new species, and prepare formal species descriptions.
Training includes Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, PCR, bioinformatics, sequence-read processing, phylogenetic reconstruction, comparative phylogenetics, biogeographic analyses, and data handling in R and Python. Imaging training includes scanning electron microscopy, µ-CT (micro-computed tomography), and image processing.
Eligibility: applicants should have a UK 2:1 honours degree. Funding is fully funded (UK only). The closing date is 15 November 2026.
Supervision is by Dr Guadalupe Bribiesca Contreras (lead supervisor), Dr Tammy Horton (National Oceanography Centre), Dr Jeff Thompson (University of Southampton), and Dr Hugh Carter.
Funding details
Fully funded for UK only.
What's required
UK 2:1 honours degree is required. The project is suitable for candidates interested in molecular biology, phylogenomics, taxonomy, bioinformatics, comparative phylogenetics, biogeographic analyses, and data handling with R and Python. Experience with sequencing, PCR, imaging, or marine biodiversity is beneficial but not explicitly required.
How to apply
Review the project details and full entry requirements on the University of Southampton page, then use the project application route under the postgraduate research project listing. Prepare your academic transcripts and supporting documents before the closing date.
More information can be found here
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