This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).
The DTP offers an interdisciplinary research training programme delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter, Cardiff University and Rothamsted Research, alongside six regional associate partners: Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Swansea University, UCB Pharma, University of the West of England and SETsquared Bristol. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching, in collaboration with industry and government.
All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured 4-year PhD programme, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a taught first year which includes directed rotation projects.
Start Date:
The start date of the programme will be Monday 3 October 2022. Students are encouraged to attend Welcome Week at Bath (week commencing Monday 26 September 2022).
Supervisory Team:
Lead supervisor: Prof Jason Wolf, University of Bath, Milner Centre for Evolution and Department of Biology & Biochemistry (email: [Email Address Removed])
Co-supervisor: Dr Bram Kuijper (University of Exeter)
Collaborators:
Prof Andrew Ward (University of Bath)
The Project:
Social interactions can have profound impacts on the success of an organism. In many systems, the genes governing these interactions appear in clusters within the genome. This pattern is seen for imprinted genes (where individuals all use only the copy of the gene received from either their mothers or fathers) in mammalian genomes, which are known to govern a range of social traits such as parental care and social dominance.
Clustering of genes also appears to be a primary feature of ‘greenbeard’ loci (1), which are regions of the genome that allow individuals to direct benefits from social interactions towards other individuals who carry copies of the greenbeard (or direct harm to those who do not). For example, our work on the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has demonstrated that the multigenic Tgr locus acts as a greenbeard that governs which genotypes a given genotype will cooperate with (2).
The goal of this project is, therefore, to understand the evolutionary processes that build and shape these gene clusters. It is likely that the evolutionary processes that produced these genomic patterns are driven by the interplay between conflict and cooperation between genes in relatives, along with interactions between genes within individual genomes (e.g., ref. 3). We will address this problem by developing theoretical models that will be tested using genome sequence data. From the modelling side, we will build on models of social evolution and evolution of gene networks, the latter of which allows us to also consider the potential roles of ‘non-social’ molecular and mechanistic phenomena that provide alternative explanations.
This novel theory will be tested by developing predictions that can be assessed using genomic datasets (including both publicly available and sets generated in our Lab). We will use both analytical (mathematical) and computer-based approaches for the modelling, but do not expect prospective students to necessarily have a background in maths or computer science. The training plan integrates the necessary computational and mathematical skills to prepare students with a wide range of backgrounds for successful completion of this project.
Requirements:
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.
In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.
* Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.
Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and upload any supporting evidence.
If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the lead supervisor.
Formal applications should be submitted on the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biosciences.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the SWBio DTP studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. You may apply for more than one project within the same application but you should upload a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your interest and suitability for that particular project.
See our website for more information about applying for a PhD at Bath.
Funding Eligibility:
To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK nationals and Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. For further information, see our fee status guidance webpage, the GOV.UK website and the UKCISA website.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender or disability status.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
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