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Diane Saunders

1 year ago

PhD Studentship: Preserving native biodiversity and wheat production in Bhutan University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Molecular Biology

Funding

Fully-funded studentship (fees, stipend, RTSG); international fee difference waived for limited number of studentships; relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs not covered.

Deadline

Oct 1, 2026

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of East Anglia

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Keywords

Molecular Biology
Environmental Science
Agriculture
Biology
Plant Pathology
Computational Biology
Biodiversity
Disease Prevention
Wheat Breeding
Environmental Conservation
Landscape Ecology
Ecosystem Dynamics
Genetic Diversity
Farming Systems

About this position

This PhD project at the University of East Anglia, supervised by Professor Diane Saunders, addresses the urgent challenge of balancing biodiversity conservation with wheat production in Bhutan, a country renowned for its high species richness and endemic flora. Wheat is a vital crop in Bhutan, cultivated at high altitudes and integral to food security, culture, and religion. However, wheat production faces significant threats from biotic factors, particularly wheat rusts—fungal pathogens that can devastate crops and are known as the 'polio of agriculture.' Bhutan is a global hotspot for Berberis species, which play a key role in the lifecycle of wheat rusts and are also culturally and medicinally important.

The project aims to resolve the conflicting interests of preserving biodiversity while protecting wheat from rust outbreaks. The successful candidate will conduct fieldwork in Bhutan to map the spatial distribution and species composition of Berberis in major wheat-growing areas, assess the genetic diversity and rust resilience of Bhutanese wheat landraces, and develop spatial models to inform wheat planting strategies that safeguard biodiversity and suppress disease outbreaks.

Training will be provided in the Saunders Lab at the John Innes Centre, with additional expertise from Exeter University, CIMMYT, and the Bhutan National Plant Protection Centre. The position offers comprehensive training in field surveys, plant pathology, molecular biology, computational biology, and landscape modelling.

Applicants should hold at least a UK 2:1 Honours degree in Biology, Ecology, or a related discipline, and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The fully-funded ARIES studentship covers tuition, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training and support grant. International applicants may have the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees waived, but relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.

The project starts on 1 October 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic researcher interested in interdisciplinary approaches to food production and conservation.

Funding details

Fully-funded studentship (fees, stipend, RTSG); international fee difference waived for limited number of studentships; relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs not covered.

What's required

Applicants must have at least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 in Biology, Ecology, or a related field. English language proficiency is required: IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 6 in each category. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research in food production and conservation is expected.

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Professors

Professor at University of East Anglia

University Name

University of East Anglia

Research Interests

Ecosystem Dynamics

Molecular Biology

Farming Systems

Genetic Diversity

Biodiversity