2 Projects advertised to join us at Lancaster Environment Centre to work on photosynthesis! This is a competitive process with applications welcome from anywhere, some places in this program are reserved for non-UK students. One is to look into the role of sugar phosphates and how regulating the activity of these enzymes contributes to how plants regulate:
1 – Understanding regulation of the regulators: the role of phosphatases in photosynthesi
Lead supervisor
Dr Douglas Orr
Project Description:
Photosynthesis is a key process in the quest to achieve increases in agricultural productivity and sustainability. It is part of central metabolism, assimilating carbon from atmosphere to biosphere, and highly regulated in plants’ responses to environmental changes.
Such regulation includes inhibition of the carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco by sugar-phosphate derivatives, and the action of ancillary activating proteins including phosphatases which degrade Rubisco inhibitors. Despite their ubiquity, regulation of phosphatase activity and the role of inhibitors remain poorly understood. This project will explore the importance and regulation of two plant phosphatases that contribute to regulating Rubisco activity: carboxyarabinitol-1-phosphate phosphatase (CA1Pase) and xyulose-1,5-bisphosphate phosphatase (XuBPase).
Using multiple approaches, the project will investigate how environmental conditions within leaves regulate phosphatase activity, and how this impacts photosynthetic regulation. It provides an opportunity to develop skills in molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant physiology, joining a large and growing team of Lancaster photosynthesis researchers.
General eligibility criteria
Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.
Project specific criteria
This project would suit a candidate interested in photosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Enthusiasm and a desire to learn are essential. Relevant training/experience in enzyme activity assays, photosynthesis, and molecular biology are desirable, but will be evaluated based on candidates experience and previous opportunities.
Studentship funding
Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years or full studentships (International tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for International students for 3 years.
Selection information
Candidates should note that there are a total of six studentships available for this call, which means that not every project will be assigned a student. Applications will first be shortlisted by the project supervisor with a final interview and shortlisting conducted by a departmental panel.
One studentship is specifically reserved for a candidate from a global south country. If this applies to you, please make this clear on your application form.
Dates
Deadline for applications: 20th May 2022
Provisional Interview Date: to be confirmed
Start Date: October 2022
Application process
- Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form and LEC Funded PhD Reference Form
- Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your ‘Name and Application Form’ e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
- Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
- Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
- Rename the referee form with your ‘Name and Reference’, e.g., Joe Bloggs Reference. Send the renamed reference form to two referees and request them to forward the referee document to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
- Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted. It is important that you ensure references are submitted by the closing date or as soon as possible.
- You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
- Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
- Please note that, if English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. This evidence is only required if you are offered a funded PhD and is not required as part of this application process.
- Please note that, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. If you would like feedback on your application, please contact the supervisors of the project.
Submit all applications and references to this email address: lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
Also online is a project in Ghana to investigate improving the productivity and climate resilience of cowpea with techniques like physiology and biochemistry, and includes opportunities for field work in Ghana:
2 – Improving the productivity and climate resilience of cowpea
Lead supervisor
Professor Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Project Description:
Cowpea is a major source of protein for some of the most vulnerable smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate change, including the increasing frequency of rapid and unpredictable changes in temperature and water availability, pose a significant threat to the sustainability of cowpea production. This project aims to identify physiological traits to develop productive and resilient breeding lines for sustainable cowpea production under climate change.
The student will join the teams of Prof Elizabete Carmo-Silva at Lancaster University and of Dr Sanatu Mustapha Alidu at the University for Development Studies in Tamale. The collaboration between the two groups, based in the UK and Northern Ghana, provides an ideal setting to gain skills in molecular biology and biochemistry, plant stress physiology, and cowpea crop breeding.
General eligibility criteria
Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.
Project specific criteria
This project is suitable for students interested in crop improvement, photosynthesis and adaptation to climate change. Enthusiasm and a desire to learn are essential.
It is anticipated that the student will be primarily based at Lancaster and spend two periods of ~3 months in Tamale for field trials, therefore an ability to travel is highly desirable.
Studentship funding
Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years or full studentships (International tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for International students for 3 years.
Selection information
Candidates should note that there are a total of six studentships available for this call, which means that not every project will be assigned a student. Applications will first be shortlisted by the project supervisor with a final interview and shortlisting conducted by a departmental panel.
One studentship is specifically reserved for a candidate from a global south country. If this applies to you, please make this clear on your application form.
Dates
Deadline for applications: 20th May 2022
Provisional Interview Date: to be confirmed
Start Date: October 2022
Application process
- Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form and LEC Funded PhD Reference Form.
- Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your ‘Name and Application Form’ e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
- Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
- Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
- Rename the referee form with your ‘Name and Reference’, e.g., Joe Bloggs Reference. Send the renamed reference form to two referees and request them to forward the referee document to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
- Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted. It is important that you ensure references are submitted by the closing date or as soon as possible.
- You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
- Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
- Please note that, if English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. This evidence is only required if you are offered a funded PhD and is not required as part of this application process.
- Please note that, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. If you would like feedback on your application, please contact the supervisors of the project.
Submit all applications and references to this email address: lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk