Iain Hartley

[Fully funded for 4 years, including full Home and International tuition fees plus a UKRI stipend at the 2027-28 rate.] PhD Studentship at the University of Plymouth in collaboration with the University of Exeter. This project, Uncovering the impact of multiple anthropogenic stress factors on rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions , investigates how combinations of global change pressures such as warming, drought, soil contaminants and pesticides affect the plant-soil interface. The research focuses on the rhizosphere, where root traits, microbial diversity, and soil function interact to shape crop performance and ecosystem resilience. The project uses wheat as a study system and combines microbial ecology, environmental genomics, plant science and soil biogeochemistry. You will work with controlled plant growth experiments, sequencing and bioinformatics, molecular biology, and soil function measurements including greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient cycling. The studentship is designed to build expertise in experimental biology, soil science and data-rich microbial community analysis. Supervision is provided by Dr Harry Child and Dr Anne Plessis at the University of Plymouth, together with Professor Iain Hartley and Dr Richard Tennant at the University of Exeter. The research is based between the University of Plymouth and University of Exeter, giving access to complementary expertise and facilities across both institutions. Funding is available for 4 years and includes full Home and International tuition fees plus a UKRI stipend at the 2027-28 rate. This is a PhD studentship, and applications are due by midday (GMT) on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Applicants with interests in plant-microbe interactions, microbiology, soil health, environmental change, and agricultural resilience are particularly well matched to the project. The advert does not specify a precise degree classification or language requirement in the text provided.