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Earlham Institute

PhD in Designing Plant Gene Expression with Explainable AI Earlham Institute in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship. Covers tuition fees paid directly to the university, a stipend for living expenses (2026/27 rate: £21,805), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. Includes a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS).

Deadline

Feb 4, 2027

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Country

United Kingdom

University

Earlham Institute

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Keywords

Computer Science
Data Science
Agriculture
Biology
Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Explainable Ai
Plant Genomics
Bioinformatic
ML
bio engineering

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About this position

PhD opportunity at the Earlham Institute in Norwich, United Kingdom: Designing Plant Gene Expression with Explainable AI (LI_E27DTP).

This project sits at the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, biology, plant genomics, and engineering biology. The research asks whether explainable AI can uncover design rules for plant regulatory DNA that control gene expression patterns under drought, heat, and disease stress. The work will combine AI model development with experimental validation in plant systems.

You will join Earlham Institute’s AI for Biology group led by Professor Ke Li, with complementary support from Prof. Anthony Hall and Dr Carolina Grandellis. The project includes training in foundational AI methods, reproducible software, FAIR data management, experimental design, and collaboration with plant scientists and bioinformaticians. Experimental work will involve compact cis-regulatory module libraries, reporter systems, and potato protoplast assays.

This is a fully funded PhD studentship through the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) for October 2027 entry. Funding includes tuition fees, an annual stipend, and a Research Training Support Grant. NRPDTP students also complete a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS).

Eligibility includes at least a UK-equivalent 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component. The project is full-time and open to students worldwide. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 2–4 February 2027.

Apply and check full eligibility details via the NRPDTP website: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk.

Funding details

Fully funded 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship. Covers tuition fees paid directly to the university, a stipend for living expenses (2026/27 rate: £21,805), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. Includes a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS).

What's required

Applicants need at least a UK-equivalent Bachelor’s (Honours) degree at 2:1 level. English language requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category. The project is full-time and open to students worldwide through the NRPDTP competition.

How to apply

Visit the NRPDTP website for eligibility details and application instructions. Use the bespoke personal and research statement templates required on the NRPDTP site. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 2–4 February 2027.

More information can be found here

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