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We have 7 Evolution PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Nottingham

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Biological Sciences

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Nottingham  United Kingdom

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Evolution PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Nottingham

We have 7 Evolution PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Nottingham

A PhD in Evolution offers you the opportunity to conduct an extended research project into a specific area of evolution from researching how a specific characteristic has changed over generations to tracking the origin of a protein. Your project could be either formed of field work, carrying out experiments in the laboratory or a Bioinformatics project, likely working with genomics data.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Evolution?

Studying a PhD in Evolution, you’ll gain a range of skills, from programming in R or Python, using cutting edge 3D scanning and digital imaging equipment to becoming a leader in your field work.

Some typical research topics in Evolution include:

  • Investigating how bacterial biofilms evolve over time
  • Researching how a system e.g. vocal chords have evolved
  • Analysis of genomics of a species over time
  • Investigating how an environmental factor, such as social interaction affects the brain
  • Studying sexual dimorphism in a given species
  • Retracing the origins of a specific protein

Most PhD programmes in Evolution are proposed by the supervisor and advertised on the university website with full funding attached. However, some advertised projects require you to self-fund, which can be difficult due to additional bench fees. This funding challenge also makes proposing your own project in Evolution uncommon.

Day-to-day you’ll likely perform experiments and/or observe your species of study. If you have a Bioinformatic based project, you’ll write programmes to identify new features in the data. Regardless of your speciality, you’ll read extensively around your topic to gain inspiration for methods and discuss results with your supervisor and colleagues.

To be awarded your PhD, you’ll need to write a thesis of around 60,000 words and defend your work during a viva exam.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for most Evolution PhD programmes involve a Masters in a subject directly related to Biology, at Merit or Distinction level. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need to show that you have the right level of language proficiency.

PhD in Evolution funding options

The research council responsible for funding Evolution PhDs in the UK is the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). They provide fully-funded studentships including a stipend for living costs, a consumables budget for bench fees and a tuition fee waiver. Students don’t apply directly to the BBSRC, you apply for advertised projects with this funding attached.

It’s uncommon for Evolution PhD students to be ‘self-funded’ due to the additional bench fees. However, if you were planning to fund yourself it might be achievable (depending on your project) through the UK government’s PhD loan and part-time work.

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Adaptation to environmental change in animals: ecology, evolution and genomics.

How are animals able to live in different environments, with different temperatures, energetic demands, diet, predators, parasites or pH? Thanks to advances in gene sequencing technology, we are in a remarkable period of discovery about the genomic basis of adaptation and how this depends on the intricacies of ecology and environment. Read more

Why do populations fail to adapt to environmental change?

Why do populations fail to adapt to environmental change? There are myriad examples of amazing evolutionary adaptations, from the beaks of finches to antimicrobial resistance, that have been shaped by selection arising from natural processes or the effects of humans on the environment. Read more

Can synchrony alleviate outgroup bias? A developmental-comparative approach

Project ID. S41. Outgroup bias, or the tendency to hold negative attitudes towards people who we perceive to be outside of our social group, can occur on the basis of ethnicity, gender, religion, or even shared interests. Read more

Biodiversity conservation in alpine environments: Genetic-based approaches link individual behaviour to population dynamics.

Project ID. ARES6. Mountain regions are particularly threatened by global warming. The magnitude of the effects of climate change on mountain biodiversity will depend on the species’ ability to cope with their unique and shared challenges resulting from change. Read more
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