PhD Studentship: Can a Tree Remember a Drought? Understanding the Mechanisms of Tree Memory University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

[Funding covers annual stipend, tuition fees at home-fee level, and Research Training Support Grant. International students eligible for up to 30% of cohort. Funding does not cover relocation or living costs.]

This PhD studentship at the University of Birmingham explores the fascinating question: Can a tree remember a drought? The project aims to unravel the mechanisms of tree memory by investigating how environmental information, particularly drought events, is recorded at the molecular level in tree DNA through epigenetic marks. Trees, as long-lived and immobile organisms, must adapt to changing environmental conditions and stresses throughout their lifespan. Recent advances in genomics have shown that environmental stimuli can leave stable epigenetic marks—such as DNA methylation—on plant DNA, forming a type of biological memory that can be inherited and persist in tissues even after cell death.

In temperate regions, trees produce annual growth rings in their wood, each reflecting the environmental conditions of that year. While the physical properties of tree rings have been extensively studied, this project seeks to connect these physical records with molecular changes by analyzing the residual DNA preserved in different rings. The research will involve extracting DNA from various tree rings and comparing their epigenetic profiles, specifically focusing on DNA methylation patterns. By associating these molecular changes with historical and ecological records of drought, the project will provide new insights into how trees adapt to environmental stress and how their responses are encoded and preserved over time.

This interdisciplinary project bridges dendrochronology, ecology, and epigenetics, offering a unique opportunity to create direct connections between tree molecular responses and environmental history. The studentship is funded through the CENTA3 DLA, supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and includes an annual stipend, tuition fees at the home-fee level, and a Research Training Support Grant. International students are eligible for up to 30% of the cohort, though funding does not cover relocation or living costs.

Applicants should hold at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent. International candidates must meet the University of Birmingham’s entry requirements, including English language proficiency. The application deadline is January 7, 2027. For more information and to apply, visit the CENTA studentship page and review the application guidelines. This project is ideal for candidates interested in plant biology, molecular ecology, environmental science, and genomics, and offers the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research on tree adaptation and memory.