University of St Andrews
Just Landed
2 days ago
PhD in Chemical Communication and Speciation in Insects University of St Andrews in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Evolutionary Biology
Funding
This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference.
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of St Andrews

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
PhD opportunity in chemical communication and speciation at the University of St Andrews
This EASTBIO-funded PhD project in the School of Biology focuses on pheromones, cuticular hydrocarbons, evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural ecology, and speciation biology. The project is based at the University of St Andrews and is supervised by Prof Mike Ritchie and Dr N Bailey.
The research asks how divergence in pheromone detection and production contributes to sexual isolation and rapid speciation in insect systems, with a particular focus on Teleogryllus cricket species. The student will work with resequencing data from multiple species to study the evolution of gene families involved in pheromone production and detection, including desaturase and elongase genes, as well as olfactory and gustatory receptor genes.
Methods may include sequence analysis, testing models of selective divergence, tissue-specific transcriptomics, and potentially the development of RNAi approaches to knock down candidate genes and test effects on pheromone production and mate choice. Training will be provided in evolutionary and functional genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural ecology, and speciation biology.
This is a 4-year funded PhD open to UK and international students. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK tuition fees, with the university covering the Home-International fee difference.
How to apply: complete the EASTBIO Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey and EASTBIO Application Form, then submit an online application through the University of St Andrews portal. Select PhD with internship and include the required documents and references. Application guidance is available via EASTBIO and the St Andrews postgraduate application portal.
Funding details
This is a 4-year competition-funded PhD project through the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funding covers a stipend at the UKRI standard rate and UK-level tuition fees; the University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference.
What's required
Applicants should be PhD-eligible and interested in evolutionary and functional genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural ecology, and speciation biology. The project involves sequence analysis, testing models of selective divergence, tissue-specific transcriptomics, and potentially RNAi methods. English language qualification is required if applicable. The opportunity is open to UK and international students under EASTBIO/UKRI eligibility guidance.
How to apply
Download and complete the EASTBIO Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey and the EASTBIO Application Form. Submit an online application through the University of St Andrews portal and select the course 'PhD with internship'. Include the required documents and send the EASTBIO reference form to your referees.
More information can be found here
Ask ApplyKite AI

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.