The following fully-funded PhD studentship is available in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences with an expected start date of Jan 2024.
The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
In the Eizaguirre lab, we focus on the integration of evolutionary biology into conservation programmes. Thanks to our multidisciplinary approach we address questions directly related to quantifying the adaptive potential of endangered species.
We combine field surveys and experiments with molecular tools and state of the art monitoring techniques. For us, conservation goes with the involvement of communities and therefore public engagement and capacity building are integrated into our research activities.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
As climate change accelerates, it is imperative to assess how various species respond to these environmental shifts. In this exciting research project, we focus on the loggerhead turtles nesting in the Cabo Verde archipelago. We aim to investigate the critical role of epigenetics, particularly DNA methylation, in understanding the adaptive potential of this population.
Our project will kick off by harnessing existing extensive datasets of whole-genome DNA methylation from nesting female loggerhead turtles and their offspring. Our research objectives relate to:
As the project progresses, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape their own research agenda. While the primary focus of this work relates to bioinformatics, the successful candidate will be encouraged to actively engage in fieldwork. You will have access to field infrastructure (e.g. hatcheries), allowing you to combine experimental approaches with cutting-edge genomic tools.
The studentship is funded by Queen Mary and will cover home tuition fees, and provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at the UKRI rate (£20,622 in 2023/24).
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a distinction (or merit) for their masters degree in an area relevant to the project such as evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, genetics, conservation.
The ideal candidate should have:
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Prof. Christophe Eizaguirre, c.eizaguirre@qmul.ac.uk Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by the stated deadline.
The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is committed to promoting diversity in science; we have been awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award. We positively welcome applications from underrepresented groups.http://hr.qmul.ac.uk/equality/ https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbcs/about-us/athenaswan/
Apply Online