PhD in the cycling of climate-active sulfur compounds by major crops
PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich, United Kingdom
in the School of Biological Sciences with Prof Jon Todd.
This project investigates the cycling of climate-active sulfur compounds by major crops, especially maize, with a focus on dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), microbial DMSP catabolism, and the release of climate-active gases such as dimethylsulfide (DMS). The work combines plant biology, microbiology, environmental biology, analytical chemistry, bioinformatics, genomics, genetics, and climate science.
The PhD will include a seasonal field study on maize plantations in East Anglia, measuring DMSP production and cycling in plant tissue and soils, and examining microbial communities that degrade plant-made DMSP. Methods may include gas and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, RT-qPCR, culture-dependent isolation and characterisation, and culture-independent approaches such as DNA stable isotope probing.
You will join the teams of Todd, Miller and Oram at UEA and QIB and receive interdisciplinary training in DMSP biology, molecular ecology, microbiology, plant physiology, bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, fieldwork, scientific writing, and presentation. The project is suitable for a motivated student interested in plant-microbe interactions, sulfur cycling, and climate-relevant biogeochemistry.
Eligibility highlights: background in micro/biology and at least a UK-equivalent 2:1 Bachelor degree. English requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category.
Funding: competition funded PhD project for students worldwide. Study mode: full-time or part-time. Start date: 1 October 2027.
To apply, register your interest via the FindAPhD enquiry form and submit your details and questions. The university will respond directly.
