PhD Studentship: Evolutionary Genomics of Mimicry in Neotropical Catfishes University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

[Fully funded UKRI/ARIES studentship covering fees, maintenance stipend of £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, and a research training and support grant (RTSG). Limited support for international applicants via waived difference between home and international fees; relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.]

PhD Studentship in Evolutionary Genomics of Mimicry in Neotropical Catfishes at the University of East Anglia.

This project explores one of the most fascinating examples of adaptive evolution: mimicry. While mimicry is well known from butterflies and poison dart frogs, Neotropical Corydoradinae catfishes offer a rare and powerful system for studying how similar warning colour patterns evolve repeatedly in nature. More than 30 independently evolved mimicry communities, or mimicry rings, have been identified across South America, making this an excellent system for testing whether repeated mimicry is driven by shared genetic mechanisms.

The successful PhD researcher will use comparative and population genomics to investigate divergent selection among mimicry rings, signatures of recent positive selection and selective sweeps within rings, and the rate of evolution of pigmentation genes in mimetic versus non-mimetic species. The project will use a chromosome-level reference genome, additional annotated genome assemblies, RNA-seq data, and whole-genome resequencing data. Most samples are already available in the host laboratory, and there may also be opportunities for collaborative fieldwork in South America.

Training is a major feature of the studentship. The student will gain experience in molecular biology, genome resequencing, comparative and population genomics, phylogenomics, bioinformatics, UNIX/Linux, high-performance computing, and programming in R and Python. This makes the position especially suitable for applicants aiming for research careers in evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, or academic science more broadly.

Funding is provided through ARIES/UKRI terms and conditions. Eligible candidates will receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees, a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per year for 2026/27, and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships may be available for international applicants, with the difference between home and international fees waived by the university. Applicants should note that relocation costs, visa costs, and the UK health surcharge are not covered.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, at least a First or Upper Second-Class degree, or equivalent, in Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, or a related discipline. A strong interest in evolutionary biology and genomics is essential, while prior experience in bioinformatics or programming is helpful but not required.

The application deadline is 16 December 2026. Applications should be submitted through the University of East Anglia postgraduate research application portal.