Publisher
source

University of Southampton

Top university

Just Landed

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 flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Southampton

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

Apply for this position

Keywords

Geology
Environmental Science
Biology
Biogeography
Biodiversity
Earth Science
Taxonomy

Suggested positions

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

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?