Prof M J Terry, Dr H Okamoto
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Plants require the ability to sense and adapt their physiology to their environment. One way they do this is to use their chloroplasts and environmental sensors. Conditions that impose stress on plants such as heat, drought or high light affect photosynthesis and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can signal from the chloroplast to the nucleus to allow the plant to respond or acclimate. This project examines one important ROS signal, singlet oxygen (1O2). We have shown the young Arabidopsis seedlings respond to 1O2 by downregulating genes for chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis to prevent further stress at this critical time in development. This project will characterize this response and identify new components in 1O2 signalling (SOS) through analysis of new SOS mutants we have isolated. Understanding how plants can respond and acclimate to stress will be critical to the development of new crop varieties that can withstand future climate scenarios.
The successful student will receive a wide range of training in techniques important for modern day physiological studies gaining molecular, cellular, genetic, imaging and biochemical skills. Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton also has excellent plant growth facilities housed in the new Life Sciences building, where the studentship will be based.
Funding Notes
The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in Biological Sciences or related subjects. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £14,533 per annum.
Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants.
References
Applications should be submitted online at:
https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=4973&majr=4973&term=201718
Please place Matthew Terry’s name in the field for proposed supervisor.
General enquiries should be made to Professor Matthew Terry mjt@soton.ac.uk and/or Dr Haruko Okamoto at H.Okamoto@soton.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process should be made to: pgafnes@soton.ac.uk
Interviews will be held in April.
The University of Southampton and Biological Sciences both hold an Athena Swan Silver & Bronze Award, respectively, demonstrating their commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. University benefits include onsite childcare facilities, state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.