Davina Derous

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the University of Graz , advertised by Davina Derous (Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen). The project is part of EastBio and asks a compelling question in marine mammal ecotoxicology : why can some long-lived marine mammals tolerate substantial mercury burdens over their lifetimes, and could the mechanisms that protect them eventually come at a biological cost? The research combines several complementary areas: comparative genomics to study genes involved in mercury sensitivity, detoxification, and selenium metabolism; marine mammal ecotoxicology to examine how mercury and selenium burdens vary across species and lifespan; biological networks to connect molecular interactions with cellular processes and physiological resilience; and systematic review, meta-analysis, and quantitative modelling to identify factors that may determine the limits of biological compensation. This opportunity is especially suitable for candidates interested in computational and quantitative approaches to fundamental questions in environmental biology , with interdisciplinary training across biology, chemistry, and ecology . The post is open to UK and international applicants , subject to UKRI eligibility and funding restrictions . Part-time study is available for Home/UK students. Deadline: 16 November 2026, 23:59 GMT. How to apply: Contact the supervisor to discuss the project, then submit the full application to [email protected] . Full project details and application instructions are available via the linked page.