Andrew Pitt

[Annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26, subject to annual uplift), tuition fees paid, stipend expected to increase each year.] This 3.5-year PhD studentship at The University of Manchester offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the fundamental rules of life in microbiomes using advanced stable isotope labelling techniques. Microbial communities in geothermal springs are capable of efficient CO2-driven carbon cycling, presenting promising systems for CO2 capture and bioconversion that could surpass current technologies. These communities are not only resistant to problematic sulfur and nitrogen compounds but also possess relatively low complexity, making them ideal for studying the division of labour and resource sharing among community members. The project will focus on developing methods for compound-specific, multi-isotope metabolite analysis using state-of-the-art mass spectrometers and sophisticated data analysis pipelines. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of microbiome adaptability and resilience, and will enable engineering of these systems for environmental and biotechnological applications. The studentship is part of a £5M BBSRC sLoLa initiative, providing numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary training and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team. Funding includes a generous annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26, subject to annual uplift), with tuition fees fully covered. The stipend is expected to increase each year. The position is open to both UK and overseas students, with a start date in October 2026. Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Relevant experience and a clear motivation for the project should be included in the application. To apply, candidates should submit their application online at https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425 and contact the main supervisor, Prof Andrew Pitt, at [email protected] , providing details of their academic background, current level of study, relevant experience, and a paragraph outlining their motivation for pursuing this PhD. Early application is advised as the advert may be removed before the official deadline of 18 May 2026.

This PhD project, based at The University of Manchester, investigates the mechanisms of carbon cycling within microbial communities inhabiting extreme geothermal springs. These unique environments, characterized by low phylogenetic diversity and minimal organic carbon input, serve as natural laboratories for studying efficient CO2-driven carbon cycling. The research aims to harness these microbial processes for innovative CO2 capture and bioconversion technologies that could surpass current methods. The project employs advanced stable isotope tracer experiments (using 13C) to track CO2 utilization by various microbial taxa. The central hypothesis is that CO2-driven carbon cycling is achieved through a metabolic division of labour among community members, which can be elucidated using stable isotope probing combined with multi-omics analyses. System-level measurements will be integrated with strain-resolved metagenomics, conducted by other team members, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic potential within these communities. Fieldwork will be conducted in geothermal springs in Iceland, complemented by controlled laboratory experiments in Manchester. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team supported by a £5.4M BBSRC sLoLa grant, offering extensive opportunities for training and collaboration. Direct training will be provided in isotopic techniques, -omics approaches, and microbial ecology. Supervisory Team: Dr Sophie Nixon and Professor Andrew Pitt (The University of Manchester), Professor David Johnson (Lancaster University). Eligibility: Applicants should hold or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline. English language certification is required if applicable. The university encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and supports flexible study arrangements. Funding: The 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to both Home (UK) and overseas students. It includes a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26, subject to annual uplift) and full tuition fee coverage. The stipend is expected to increase annually. Application Process: Apply online via the University of Manchester portal. Early application is recommended as the advert may close before the deadline. Applicants must submit all required documents, including transcripts, CV, supporting statement, and referee details. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the supervisor before applying to discuss your motivation and background. Deadline: 30 April 2026. The start date is October 2026. For further information or application queries, contact the admissions team at [email protected].