Dr B Hazard
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Wheat provides approximately one fifth of the calories consumed by humans worldwide, thus improving the nutritional value of wheat grains has potential to make a large impact on human health. Starch composition and structure play a major role in digestibility by humans. However, there is little natural variation in the starch composition of common bread wheat.
In an effort to improve the nutritional quality of foods for human health, this project will focus on understanding the genetic components underlying starch composition and structure in the grain and what consequences this may have for human digestibility. The applied nature of this project will aid in the development of wheat plants with enhanced nutritional value that can be used in food and health studies in Norwich. It will also provide further insight and understanding of starch biosynthesis in wheat and how it may affect plant fitness and potential agronomic quality.
This project will be based upon previous research that has generated valuable genetic and genomic resources in wheat including over 1,500 sequenced TILLING mutants. The student will build a solid skill set in modern plant breeding and trait development. He/she will utilize cutting-edge molecular techniques and bioinformatics approaches to identify and characterize novel alleles regulating starch composition and structure in the grain. The project will also provide applied opportunities for the student to develop and use plant materials in human health related studies. The student will be supervised by a multidisciplinary team across the Norwich Research Park at both the Institute of Food Research and the John Innes Centre.
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 16th or 17th March 2016.
The Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) 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: www.biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Full Studentships cover a stipend (RCUK rate: £14,057pa - 2015/6), research costs and tuition fees at UK/EU rate, and are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements.
Students from EU countries who do not meet the UK residency requirements may be eligible for a fees-only award. Students in receipt of a fees-only award will be eligible for a maintenance stipend awarded by the NRPDTP Bioscience Doctoral Scholarships, which when combined will equal a full studentship. To be eligible students must meet the EU residency requirements. Details on eligibility for funding on the BBSRC website: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/
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