Publisher
source

Katherine Helliwell

1 year ago

Single-cell interactions between phytoplankton and bacterial pathogens University of Exeter in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Cell Biology

Funding

Fully funded for 3.5 years, covering Home/International tuition fees and an annual stipend of £20,780. Funded by the ERC DIACIDAL project under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

Deadline

Expired

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Exeter

Suggested positions

Publisher
source

University of East Anglia

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia (School of Biological Sciences) with Dr W Haerty in Norwich, United Kingdom . This project focuses on genomics , population genetics , bioinformatics , marine biology , and biodiversity , using long-read DNA sequencing and pangenome approaches to quantify genetic diversity and population structure in wild fisheries species. The study will compare commercially harvested populations of Atlantic bluefin tuna and Atlantic herring , with an emphasis on...

Population Genetics
Environmental Science
Biology
+4 more

2 weeks ago

Publisher
source

Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Country flag

United Kingdom

Fully funded PhD studentship opportunity in plankton ecology , marine science , and autonomous marine observation through the ARIES DTP. The project, The Bigger Picture: Integrating Plankton Imaging Techniques to Explore Ecosystem Structure and Function , is based at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the British Antarctic Survey , in partnership with the University of Essex . This studentship is aimed at an inquisitive and motivated student who wants to combine plankton imaging , data analysis , an...

Environmental Science
Biology
Marine Biology
+2 more

3 days ago

Publisher
source

University of East Anglia

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom, focused on single-cell multi-omics , enhancer biology , and the developmental control of blood and cardiovascular fate . The project investigates how enhancer activity changes as blood, endothelial, and cardiac lineages emerge in the chick embryo. You will combine single-cell RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing to reconstruct gene-regulatory networks, identify candidate enhancers, and study how hematoendothelial progenit...

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biology
+4 more

1 week ago

Publisher
source

John Innes Centre

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity in wheat , soil microbiology , plant-microbe interactions , metabolomics , bioinformatics , and environmental microbiology at the John Innes Centre and the neighbouring Earlham Institute in Norwich, United Kingdom . This project investigates the plant “ cry-for-help ” effect in wheat: how roots respond to pathogen attack by changing metabolite secretion and recruiting beneficial soil microbes. The student will work with wheat split-root microcosms and microbial communities of var...

Environmental Science
Agriculture
Biology
+8 more

1 week ago

Publisher
source

University of Ulster

Country flag

United Kingdom

Funded PhD opportunity at Ulster University in the PEARL-MAP / PEARL-OMICS partnership. The project focuses on conservation genomics and integrates multi-omics , eDNA , and catchment data to understand stress and restoration responses in endangered freshwater pearl mussels in Ireland. This PhD is suitable for graduates in biomedical science , biological science , environmental science , bioinformatics , or a related field. Coding and sequencing experience are welcome but not essential, and the p...

Environmental Science
Biology
Omics
+1 more

1 week ago

Keywords

Cell Biology
Environmental Science
Biology
Microscopy
Marine Biology
Phytoplankton Ecology
Pathogen Biology
Microbiome Research
Genomic
Bioinformatic

About this position

?? Exciting PhD Opportunity at the MBA & University of Exeter ! ????

A fully funded PhD studentship is now open, exploring single-cell interactions between phytoplankton and bacterial pathogens – from lab cultures to natural marine communities.

Find out more https://lnkd.in/dSJCz9-V

PhDOpportunity MarineBiology MicrobialEcology Phytoplankton ERC PhDStudentship

?? PhD Opportunity – From Lab to Sea: Defining Single Cell Interactions of Phytoplankton with Bacterial Pathogens ????

We’re inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship held in partnership between the University of Exeter and The Marine Biological Association (MBA) in Plymouth, UK. This interdisciplinary project is part of the ERC-funded DIACIDAL project, and offers a unique opportunity to investigate antagonistic interactions between phytoplankton and bacterial pathogens using cutting-edge single-cell methodologies.

?? Project Highlights:
1. Study single-cell infection dynamics in lab cultures
2. Conduct mesocosm experiments in natural marine communities
3. Analyse single-cell microbiomes during phytoplankton blooms in the Western English Channel

Training in microbial physiology, advanced microscopy, bacterial genetics and bioinformatics

?? Location: Primarily based at the MBA, with time at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus
?? Start Date: Between February and September 2026
?? Funding: Home/International tuition + annual stipend of £20,780 for 3.5 years
?? Eligibility: First or Upper Second Class degree in Biological Sciences, microbiology, marine biology or plant sciences

You’ll join a dynamic, inclusive research group and receive mentorship from a collaborative supervisory team including:

Associate Prof. Katherine Helliwell (Primary Supervisor)
Associate Prof. Ben Temperton
Dr Matthew Keys & Dr Glen Wheeler (MBA)

?? Deadline to apply: 29th October 2025
?? Contact: [email protected]
?? https://lnkd.in/eRtqG_Hc

Please share with anyone who might be interested – we’re looking for curious, motivated individuals excited by the marine microbial world! ????

PhDOpportunity MarineBiology MicrobialEcology Phytoplankton ERC SingleCellBiology EnvironmentalMicrobiology ExeterUniversity MBA PhDStudentship #Exeter Exeter Marine

This is a 3.5 year PhD studentship funded by the DIACIDAL project, which is a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (Grant Agreement no 101170086) supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

Funding details

Fully funded for 3.5 years, covering Home/International tuition fees and an annual stipend of £20,780. Funded by the ERC DIACIDAL project under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

What's required

Applicants must hold a First or Upper Second Class degree in Biological Sciences, microbiology, marine biology, or plant sciences. Candidates should be motivated and curious about marine microbial research. No specific language or GPA requirements are mentioned.

ApplyKite TwinLearns as you apply

Make your next move.

Prepare your application

Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.

Professors

Associate Professor at University of Exeter

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Cell Biology

Marine Biology

Environmental Science

Microbiome Research

Pathogen Biology

Lecturer in Bioinformatics

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Marine Biology

Microbiology

Pathogen Biology

Bacteriophage

Bacterial Ecology