Plant diversity and rapid insect adaptation: how do we predict the next threat to plant health?

Climate change is causing the migration of many species to new habitats. For herbivorous arthropods such as insects and mites, a major barrier to successful establishment in new habitats is whether they can rapidly adapt to use new species of plants with complex nutritional and chemical characteristics. Understanding the factors that govern adaptation to new plant species is therefore important, not only for managing endangered species, but also for predicting the emergence of new, invasive pests.

This project will examine the role of plant defensive diversity for arthropod adaptation. It will focus on the nightshades (Solanaceae), a hyper-diverse plant family with a rich array of physical and chemical defences that includes many economically important species; and a model herbivore, the two-spotted spider mite. It will combine experimental evolution with comparative metabolomics and phylogenetic/genomic approaches to study the process of rapid adaptation in real time.

You will design and run natural selection experiments involving mites and wild plants. You will learn cutting-edge techniques for analysing plant leaves for physical and chemical defensive characteristics, and methods for the analysis of complex trait evolution at population and phylogenetic scales. The project could also involve genomic analyses to study genes under selection during adaptation. There is scope for tailoring the project based on the successful applicant’s interests. This project will be based at the University of Sheffield, with world-class facilities for plant metabolomics and genomics, where you will be part of a diverse research group studying plant diversity and plant-animal interactions; and at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a world-famous scientific organisation located in the west of London. You will receive multidisciplinary training at both institutions that will equip you to pursue a career in academia or in organisations focussed on conservation or plant health. We encourage applications from students with a diverse group of backgrounds.

Science Graduate School
As a PhD student in one of the science departments at the University of Sheffield, you’ll be part of the Science Graduate School. You’ll get access to training opportunities designed to support your career development by helping you gain professional skills that are essential in all areas of science. You’ll be able to learn how to recognise good research and research behaviour, improve your communication abilities and experience the breadth of technologies that are used in academia, industry and many related careers. Visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sgs to learn more.

This PhD project is part of the NERC funded Doctoral Training Partnership “ACCE” (Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment. ACCE is a partnership between the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, York, CEH, and NHM, for more information about ACCE and how to apply please visit the website https://acce.shef.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/sheffield/


Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to take place in the w/c 22nd February 2021.