Susan Schlimpert

[4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. Includes payment of tuition fees, a stipend of £20,780 per year (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia invites applications to explore the hidden diversity and functions of bacterial NLRs (nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptors) in Streptomyces. While NLRs are well-studied in plants and animals for their roles in immunity, their functions in bacteria remain largely unexplored. The project, supervised by Dr Susan Schlimpert, will investigate how these proteins influence bacterial behaviour, development, and antibiotic production, as well as their evolutionary significance in immune systems across different domains of life. The research will employ advanced techniques in molecular microbiology, genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, providing the student with access to a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment. The position is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), which offers a comprehensive 4-year PhD experience, including a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) to enhance professional development. The studentship is funded by the NRPDTP in partnership with Inspiralis Limited and covers full tuition fees, a stipend of £20,780 per year, and a research training support grant of £5,000 per year. Applicants should hold at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) degree with a 2:1 classification and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). The start date is 1 October 2026, and shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in early February 2026. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the provided links. Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Susan Schlimpert at [email protected].

[4-year PhD DTP studentship with tuition fees paid directly to the University, a stipend of £21,805 (2026/27 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year.] PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia / John Innes Centre on the biology of NLR signalling in multicellular, antibiotic-producing Streptomyces. This project investigates how nucleotide-binding and oligomerisation domain-like receptors (NLRs), best known from plant and animal immunity, may control a wider range of functions in bacteria beyond phage defence. You will study the Streptomyces “NLRome” to uncover links between NLR signalling, multicellular development, bacterial viability, phage immunity, and antibiotic biosynthesis. The project combines computational and experimental approaches, including genome mining, structural modelling, synthetic activation tools, heterologous expression, phage assays, genetic engineering, protein-protein interaction studies, catalytic assays, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Training is provided across computational biology and bioinformatics, molecular microbiology and genetics, and protein biochemistry and omics. You will be based at the John Innes Centre and join a collaborative environment with access to world-class platform facilities and expertise in plant and bacterial NLR biology. The project also offers experience in conference presentations, manuscript preparation, and public science outreach. Funding is available as a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship. The award includes tuition fees paid directly to the University, a stipend of £21,805 for 2026/27, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. Eligibility requires at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 degree and English language competence at IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category (or equivalent). Start date: 1 October 2027. Deadline: 30 November 2026.