Polar plankton evolution (VANOSTERHOUTU19DTP)

Marine phytoplankton has a huge biodiversity and biomass, yet despite its biological importance, these species remain woefully understudied. We were the first to sequence the genome of a polar phytoplankton species, and what we discovered shocked the scientific community. Firstly, we found that the genome of this species is fundamentally different from the genomes of other “model” species. We detected an overwhelming signature of positive selection, and discovered that a large proportion of its genes is evolving by natural selection, rather than by genetic drift. This finding flies in the face of the most fundamental theory of evolution, Kimura’s (1968) Neutral Theory. It thus appears that the theory developed based on studies of classical model species (e.g. Drosophila) might be inadequate to understand the evolution of marine phytoplankton. Secondly, we discovered that this marine phytoplankton species employs its genetic variation in a unique manner which offers a significant evolutionary advantage; it can express alternative sets of alleles depending on the environment the organism encounters (Mock et al. 2017. Nature 541, 536-540).

The PhD student will be analysing the genomes of marine phytoplankton of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. You will be conduction evolutionary genomic analysis to understand how life has adapted to these extreme conditions in the polar oceans. You will be based at the UEA and be part of a large international group of scientists who are studying the adaptive evolution of marine organisms. We are looking for a highly-motivated student with a good understanding of evolution and bioinformatics. Interested? Please contact Prof. Cock van Oosterhout ([Email Address Removed]) for an informal chat or further info.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP). Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed as part of the studentship competition. Candidates will be interviewed on either the 8th, 9th or 10th January 2019.
The NRP DTP offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship (PIPS) during their study. The internship offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website: http://www.biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk

Project Start Date: 01/10/2019
Length of Studentship: 4 years
Mode of Study: Full-Time
Minimum Entry Requirements: UK 2:1 & Eng Lang (6.5 overall, 6 in each section)