Dr James McDonald, Prof D Jones
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The microbial-mediated decomposition of soil lignocellulose is a key feature of the global carbon cycle, yet the functional diversity of lignocellulolytic microorganisms and their enzyme systems in soils is barely understood. This project will combine high-throughput in situ cultivation, metagenomics and quantitative hydrolase enzyme assays to address the identity and activity of key cellulolytic microorganisms in oxic and anoxic soils; in addition, these data will be used to develop models to predict cellulose decomposition rates in situ. This comprehensive analysis of lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms in soils will provide a step-change in our understanding of the largest flow of carbon in the biosphere.
You will based at Bangor University and will benefit from involvement in Bangor’s postgraduate training programme and regular research group meetings. You will receive training in in situ cultivation, ‘meta-omics’ techniques and bioinformatic analyses, with opportunities to attend external training courses and scientific symposia.
Applicants should have obtained, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in molecular microbiology or other relevant discipline. A Masters level degree in molecular microbiology or a similar discipline would also be desirable.
For further details please contact Dr. James McDonald: [Email Address Removed]
Funding Notes
The studentships are fully funded for UK residents*, with fees paid and a stipend of £14,296 (2016/17 rate) tax-free per year. There is also a research training support grant to support the project. Usually a studentship is for three and a half years.
*Full studentships are available to UK and EU candidates who have been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of an award. EU candidates who have not been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last 3 years are eligible for "tuition fees-only" awards (no maintenance grant). Unfortunately studentships are not available to International students. Further details about eligibility can be found on the STARS website.
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