About the Project
Scientific background
Marine phytoplankton are vital in regulating our global climate, contributing almost half of the biosphere’s net primary production. Diatoms are one of the most important phytoplankton groups, generating as much organic carbon as all terrestrial rainforests combined. Diatoms form spatially extensive blooms that exert global-scale influences on biogeochemical cycles and underpin ecosystems. Due to the release of harmful toxins, some diatom blooms can also have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
The biotic interactions of diatoms with predators, parasites, competitors and symbionts, can profoundly influence natural diatom populations, and are an important factor regulating bloom dynamics and potential toxicity. Despite the clear importance of such interactions for diatom ecology and marine ecosystem functioning, little is known about the mechanisms diatoms employ to i) recognise and respond to other microbes, or ii) regulate production of harmful toxins. These represents important knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, in order to better understand factors governing diatom bloom formation and toxicity.
Research methodology
This PhD will couple field sampling at the Western Channel Observatory coastal Station L4, which has regular diatom blooms, with state-of-the-art cell biological approaches in the laboratory. Field sampling will enable isolation of diatom-bloom associated microbes that will be brought into the laboratory for further experimentation. A combination of physiological (co-culturing), metabolomics and molecular approaches will be employed to examine the nature of such interactions, and their impact on diatom toxicity. A key aim will be to identify and characterise signalling pathways employed by diatoms to recognise and respond to their neighbours using live-cell imaging and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
Training
The successful candidate with gain training in cutting-edge cell and molecular biology approaches including live-cell imaging (e.g. confocal microscopy), CRISPR-Cas9 gene knock-out, genetic transformation, bioinformatics, and cloning, alongside microbial physiology and environmental microbiology techniques. Professional development, including training in core verbal and written communication, research and analytical skills will also be provided.
Person specification
An enthusiastic, motivated individual interested in how molecular mechanisms in the cell impact ecosystem level processes, with a relevant biological sciences degree (marine biology, microbiology, plant sciences).
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the ARIES NERC Doctoral Training Partnership. Undertaking a PhD with ARIES will involve attendance at training events.
All ARIES Universities have Athena Swan Bronze status as a minimum.
Applicants from quantitative disciplines who may have limited environmental science experience may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take appropriate advanced-level courses.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 26/27 February 2019.
For further information please see www.aries-dtp.ac.uk or contact us at [Email Address Removed].
ARIES studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which applies the eligibility criteria laid down by its parent body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). These are outlined in their Terms and Conditions of Training Grants document, and given in more detail in their training Grant Guide, both of which can be found on the UKRI website.
Funding Notes
In general, UK and EU nationals who will have been resident in the UK for three years or more at the time when their PhD begins will be eligible for a full ARIES studentship. UK and EU nationals who have been resident outside the UK but within the EU during the qualifying period will usually be eligible for a ‘fees only’ studentship, which pays research costs and tuition fees but gives no help with living expenses.
In case of uncertainty, the planned university of registration should be contacted for eligibility advice; or the ARIES administrators: [Email Address Removed].
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