Apply for a funded PhD position

Supervisors

Dr Imke Grefe

Why this project is important

There is an urgent need to decarbonise energy generation and transition to zero carbon to mitigate climate change impacts. As part of the drive to decarbonisation, floating solar photovoltaics (FPVs) show great potential as a sustainable energy source at a global scale. However, we know very little about the impact of these deployments on water quality, biodiversity, and the aquatic environment in general. Positive, as well as negative, effects of FPV deployment are possible, but we must investigate the nature and likelihood of these effects on lake ecosystems to optimise efficiency and overall environmental benefits of this new technology. You can help us fill this important knowledge gap!

The focus

Experimental FPV deployments in the United States are a substantial perturbation of the aquatic ecosystem. By covering the water body surface, FPV deployments reduce the amount of light available for photosynthesis by algae and aquatic plants, as well as wind-driven mixing of the water column. Importantly, biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for all living beings, will be sensitive to these ecosystem perturbations. Changes to concentrations and forms of nitrogen can have cascading effects on water quality and overall ecosystem status. For example, FPV-driven changes in underwater light availability and nutrient biogeochemistry may shift plankton composition towards a dominance of potentially toxic or nuisance species. You will visit field sites in the US to collect and analyse samples from FPV deployments in lakes and reservoirs to reveal hitherto unknown effects on critical nitrogen cycling processes and ecosystem functioning.

What’s in it for the candidate

You will join vibrant research groups in LEC and UKCEH covering Energy and Environmental Sciences, Lake Ecology and Biogeochemistry. As part of an interdisciplinary team you will be trained in state-of-the-art biogeochemical and ecological methods, participate in fieldwork, and learn about the interactions between emerging clean energy technology and aquatic ecosystem state. In addition to developing your analytical skills, you will build your research network in the UK and with our collaborators in the US. Funding has been made available to travel and collect data in the US.

Who should apply

We are looking for an enthusiastic and determined student who wishes to work with us on this topical and timely project with a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level. You don’t have to be an expert, but should be interested in aquatic research and motivated to learn new skills. We will provide all necessary training. The project would suit a candidate with a background in environmental science, ecology, and geography or be able to demonstrate the required skills. You will be supported by supervisors with experience of working with industry and expertise in Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Energy Sciences.

Studentship funding

This funding covers the tuition fees for UK students only. There is no stipend included in this funding.

Deadline for applications

7^th July 2023 12:00

Provisional interview date

14^th July 2023

Start date

October 2023 (January 2024 optional)

Enquiries

Interested applicants are strongly advised to get in touch to learn more about the MRes project. Please contact Dr Imke Grefe (i.grefe@lancaster.ac.uk) for more information.

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form and LEC Funded PhD Reference Form.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' eg Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. 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.
10. 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

Supervisors

• Dr Imke Grefe
• Dr Peter Wynn
• Professor Jacob Yde
• Dr Rupert Perkins

Project Description

Proglacial lakes and streams are crucial links between the cryosphere and the ocean, as well as hotspots of biogeochemical activity. These freshwater systems deliver nitrogen, an essential nutrient, to the coastal ocean, but they also actively change the concentration and bioavailability of this element with consequences for water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem health. Some algae, bacteria and archaea are adapted to thrive in glacial environments on snow and ice surfaces. However, not much is known about the ability of these organisms to remove or provide bioavailable nitrogen which can be supplied through meltwater to freshwater systems. Furthermore, the glacial biome can seed the microbial community in proglacial lakes and streams, thereby controlling ecosystem services and nitrogen delivery to the coastal ocean in a rapidly warming world.

This project aims to understand the impact of the glacial biome on nitrogen availability to downstream ecosystems by identifying functional communities through analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) in ice, snow, and water samples. Furthermore, geochemical methods, including cutting-edge stable isotope methods, will unravel nitrogen concentration, speciation, and the predominant biogeochemical processes in the Arctic ecosystem.

You will be part of an international, interdisciplinary team at Lancaster University, with co-supervisors based in Cardiff, UK and Sogndal, Norway. You will analyse previously collected samples from Norway and Svalbard, as well as visit Professor Yde in Norway for additional fieldwork at the Jostedalsbreen ice cap. Additional fieldwork opportunities in Norway and the High Arctic will be explored during the course of the project.

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 underrepresented groups, 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.

English language requirements for overseas students can be found on our English language requirements for postgraduate applicants webpage.

Project specific criteria

We invite enthusiastic, curious, and self-driven applicants from a wide range of relevant backgrounds, you do not have to be an expert in glacier or freshwater environments! Suitable backgrounds could include a degree in Environmental Science, Glaciology, Marine or Freshwater Biogeochemistry, Ecology, Microbiology, Geography, Biology or Chemistry. You should have a strong interest in aquatic biogeochemistry, in particular nutrient cycling. Some experience working in biology or chemistry laboratories is of advantage, as well as an enthusiasm for fieldwork.

Studentship funding

Full studentships are available for UK nationals, settled and pre-settled EU nationals, and applicants with indefinite leave to remain or enter (UK tuition fees and stipend (£17,688 2022/23 [tax-free])) for UK-home students for 3.5 years.

As part of the funding, the successful candidate will support teaching activities at Lancaster University’s partner campus in China for short durations.

Enquiries

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch to learn more about the PhD project. Please contact Dr Imke Grefe (i.grefe@lancaster.ac.uk) for more information.

Dates

• Deadline for applications: 7^th August 2023 12:00
• Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 14^th August
• Start Date: January 2024

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form andLEC Funded PhD Reference Form‌.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. 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.
10. 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

Project Outline

Exposure to poor air quality has detrimental effects on human health, particularly for high-risk groups (e.g. the very young and old and those with health conditions). Process-based air quality models are increasingly used to alert the public and healthcare providers of upcoming air pollution episodes. Like weather forecasts, air quality forecasts are provided up to several days ahead with forecast confidence decreasing with increasing forecast lead time. However, these models are subject to substantial bias with forecast skill often inadequate, particularly for the most ‘extreme’ episodes. This is concerning since such events may present the greatest health risk and are likely to become more common in a warmer climate (Gouldsbrough et al., 2022, 2023a).

Emerging data-driven forecasting systems (e.g. with ‘deep learning’) show remarkable promise in forecasting air pollution, with the skill to rival or better process models, and are rapidly becoming the new state-of-the-art (e.g. Kleinert et al., 2021; Gouldsbrough et al., 2023b). With sufficient training data, machine learning approaches may provide automated, computationally efficient forecasts and have ‘game-changing’ potential to sit alongside or even replace large-scale process-based models. Operational systems that use machine learning to forecast ground-level ozone, a pollutant responsible for >14,000 premature deaths annually in Europe, are in advanced development for use in (e.g.) Central Europe (Leufen et al., 2023). However, despite having an extensive air quality monitoring infrastructure and being data-rich, the UK is behind in the application of AI in this field.

Working across disciplines, this PhD project will explore how machine learning approaches can improve our ability to hindcast and forecast UK air pollution. Depending on the interests of the student, areas of focus might include: (1) development of probabilistic forecasts, (2) forecasting the co-occurrence of pollutant episodes with (e.g.) heatwaves, and/or (3) examining approaches most suitable for forecasting extreme air pollution events. A key aspect of the work will be to prepare data-driven forecasts and to evaluate their skill relative to a range of existing process-based models serving the UK over a range of lead times (i.e. forecasts 24-96 hours ahead).

Benefiting from a multidisciplinary supervisory team, the PhD student will join the vibrant atmospheric science research group (‘AtMOS’) in Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) and the Environmental Statistics group in the Department of Maths & Stats. They will be trained in state-of-the-art machine learning methods, gain specialist knowledge in their application to air pollution data and will become experts in relevant atmospheric processes (e.g. heatwaves) and context. The student will interact with members of Lancaster’s growing Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science (CEEDS), and will develop transferable skills in environmental data science, including across data acquisition, processing, visualisation and end-product presentation.

Who should apply

The project will involve substantial data curation and analysis and is well suited towards graduates with a background in Data Science, Maths, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics or a related quantitative discipline. An interest in atmospheric science and climate would be a key advantage. Open to home students.

Start date

October 2023

Supervisors

Ryan Hossaini (LEC), Emma Eastoe (Maths/Stats), Andrea Mazzeo (LEC)

External supervisor

Lily Gouldsbrough (UKCEH)

To Apply

Send a CV and cover letter to Dr Ryan Hossaini (r.hossaini@lancaster.ac.uk) and Dr Emma Eastoe (e.eastoe@lancaster.ac.uk) by the closing date of 5 pm on Monday 31st July 2023.

References

Gouldsbrough, L., Hossaini, R., Eastoe, E., & Young, P.J.Y. (2022). A temperature-dependent extreme value analysis of UK surface ozone, 1980-2019. Atmos. Env. 273, 118975.

Gouldsbrough, L., Hossaini, R., Eastoe, E., Young, P.J.Y. & Vieno, M. (2023). A machine learning approach to downscale EMEP4UK: analysis of UK ozone variability and trends. Atmos. Chem. Phys., Submitted.

Gouldsbrough, L., Eastoe, E., Hossaini, R., & Young, P.J.Y. (2023). Identifying the drivers of high-level ozone events using machine learning classification. Submitted.

Leufen, L.H., Kleinert, F., & Schultz, M.G. (2023). O3ResNet: A deep learning-based forecast system to predict local ground-level daily maximum 8-hour average ozone in rural and suburban environments. Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems, in press.

Kleinert, F., Leufen, L.H., Lupascu, A., Butler, T., & Schultz, M.G. (2022). Representing chemical history in ozone time-series predictions – a model experiment study building on the MLAir (v1.5) deep learning framework, Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 8913–8930, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-8913-2022.

Supervisors

Dr David Jacoby (Lancaster Environment Centre)

Dr Adam Piper (Zoological Society of London)

Dr Stephen Thackeray (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)

Project Description

The ways in which animals interact are fundamentally influenced by both their social tendencies and how they interact with their environment (i.e. their space use). Behavioural variation within a population, that can determine both ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as influence how we might conserve threatened species, must therefore be considered in light of this spatial-social interface.

This project takes advantage of a burgeoning research field and newly developed tools, to understand the associations, aggregation behaviour and conservation implications of wild Critically Endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) behaviour, a species for which we know very little about their sociality. Applying network analysis to long-term, high-resolution acoustic telemetry data from eel tracking inside a reservoir, the study aims to combine movement analytics with data on the timing, location and intensity of aggregations, as well as the environmental correlates of behaviour. It will explore the predictability and drivers of social behaviour within this enigmatic, heavily threatened and commercially important species, providing fundamental information on the ecology and population dynamics of eels in freshwater bodies. It will directly inform eel protection and conservation strategies (e.g. Trap and Transport) designed to maximise the escapement and reproductive potential of adult European eels.

This study will complement a wider project working with stakeholders at DEFRA and the Environment Agency, and will involve regular fieldwork to tag eels, retrieve data and maintain an active acoustic tracking array. Specifically, the study aims to address the following key questions: 1) What constitutes an eel aggregation, when controlling for spatial preferences? 2) Are environmental or social factors better predictors of population dynamics and behaviour (or a combination of the two)? 3) Can we predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of eel aggregations? and 4) How do water management strategies (inflow/outflow regimes) impact the network structure of the population?

The successful applicant will work closely with the NETLab to develop suitable network analytics that inform both ecology and conservation, with the Fish Movement Ecology Group to learn the application of high-res telemetry to study the movements of aquatic organisms, and the UKCEH Lake Ecosystems Group to explore the environmental stressors on this aquatic ecosystem. This project will feed into an ongoing project that directly links ecology, conservation and policy and there will be opportunities to be involved in all these aspects during the course of the PhD.

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

We are looking for a motivated, curious and ambitious student to work with us on this research project. This research would suit candidates with a background in (computational) ecology, animal behaviour, network analysis and applied conservation. While a strong desire to learn new techniques will be important, skills in these broad background areas will be an advantage but not a requirement for this position. The successful applicant will be willing to undertake semi-regular fieldwork in the East of England. Professional development opportunities will be provided by experts in aquatic telemetry, lake monitoring and movement ecology from Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the Zoological Society of London, as well as numerous opportunities to engage with project stakeholders around eel conservation and management issues.

Studentship funding

Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years.

The CASE partner for the project will be the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), where co-supervisor Dr Adam Piper is based. ZSL will provide co-funding to the amount of £5000 towards the project.

Enquiries

Interested applicants are welcome to get in touch to learn more about the PhD project. Please contact Dr David Jacoby (d.jacoby@lancaster.ac.uk) for more information.

Dates

Deadline for applications: 28^th August 2023

Provisional Interview Date: to be confirmed

Start Date: 1^st October 2023

Further reading

Jacoby, DMP & Freeman, R (2016) Emerging Network-Based Tools in Movement Ecology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 31, 301-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.01.011

Sosa, S, Jacoby, DMP, Lihoreau, M & Sueur, C (2021) Animal social networks : Towards an integrative framework embedding social interactions , space and time. Methods in Ecology & Evolution. 2021, 4–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13539

Webber, QMR, Albery, GF. Farine, DR, Pinter-Wollman, N, Sharma, N, Spiegel, O, Vander Wal, E and Manlove, K (2023), Behavioural ecology at the spatial–social interface. Biological Reviews, 98: 868-886. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12934

Jacoby, DMP et al. (2015) Synergistic patterns of threat and the challenges facing global anguillid eel conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation 4, 321–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2015.07.009

Williamson, MJ, Jacoby, DMP & Piper, AT. (2023) The drivers of anguillid eel movement in lentic water bodies: a systematic map. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-022-09751-6

Piper, AT, Svendsen, JC, Wright, RM and Kemp, PS (2017), Movement patterns of seaward migrating European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at a complex of riverine barriers: implications for conservation. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 26: 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12257

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form andLEC Funded PhD Reference Form.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. 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.
10. 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

Supervisors

Dr Samuel Taylor,

Professor Elizabete Carmo-Silva

Why this project is important

Agrivoltaics involves practices like installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on farmland, or integration of solar PV equipment with protected cropping in glasshouses and polytunnels. These practices hold out the promise of new sources for on-farm power, or land sharing that addresses joint demand for renewable energy and locally produced food.

The focus

For plants, sunlight harvesting for photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation is fundamental to productivity but has associated costs that include water loss through transpiration and stress induced by excess light. To use light efficiently, plants need to coordinate photosynthesis, water use, and photoprotection. Recent advances in solar-tracking PV systems provide opportunities for growers to benefit from on-farm PV and at the same time manage stress in their crops, by controlling when and how frequently crops are shaded during the day. To better understand the potential benefits of solar-tracking PV, this project will test how patterns of shade proposed for plant stress management affect crop performance, in particular coordination of photosynthesis with water use and/or photoprotection.

What’s in it for the candidate

Within this one-year Masters by Research project, the successful candidate will work with a world-leading photosynthesis team and state-of-the-art equipment. They will develop a critical understanding of photosynthetic physiology, improve their research skills, and connect with a global network of plant science researchers interested in understanding and improving photosynthesis.

Who should apply

We are looking for an enthusiastic and determined student to engage with this topical and timely project, with a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level. The project would suit a candidate with a background in environmental science, biology, or plant sciences, or who is able to demonstrate the required skills. They will be supported by an experienced supervisory team and receive appropriate training.

Studentship funding

This funding covers the tuition fees for UK students only. There is no stipend included in this funding.

Dates

Deadline for applications: 25th August 2023

Provisional interview date: 1^st September 2023

Start date: October 2023

Enquiries

Interested applicants are strongly advised to get in touch to learn more about the team and project. Please contact Dr Samuel Taylor (s.taylor19@lancaster.ac.uk) for more information.

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form and LEC Funded PhD Reference Form.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. 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.
10. 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

Supervisors

Samuel Taylor

Project Description

In the second half of the 20^th century, the green revolution had a dramatic impact on the appearance of wheat in the UK countryside, as the arrival of green revolution semi-dwarfing genes in the mid 1970s combined with synthetic fertilisers and introduced genetic resistances to disease and spiked an approximate doubling of UK wheat yields between the mid 1970s and the start of the 21^st century. Over the last two decades, UK wheat yields have been stagnant, and new ideas are needed both to help improve efficiencies and combat the contribution of agricultural inputs to climate change. Improving photosynthesis is one key option that could break the deadlock, as has been claimed for several crops (Kromdijk et al. 2016; De Souza et al., 2022). Models suggest that improving steady-state photosynthetic performance could significantly improve wheat yields (Wu et al. 2019; Wu et al. 2023). However, significant questions remain about the implications of dynamic light environments for photosynthetic performance, which have been predicted to be important based on measurements of flag leaves (Taylor and Long 2017; Salter et al., 2019). This project aims to extend knowledge in these areas by evaluating i) how non-steady-state photosynthetic performance varies as wheat plants develop; ii) the influence this has on optimisation of leaf level water and nitrogen use; and iii) impacts of non-steady-state photosynthetic efficiency at canopy scale. The student will be part of a large and active community of photosynthesis researchers engaged in global research collaborations at Lancaster University. They will have access to a broad range of wheat genetic resources, world-leading lab facilities for detailed dissection of leaf photosynthetic performance, and expertise in modelling of leaf and crop scale processes, providing significant opportunities for the right candidate to influence the design and scope of the project.

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

The ideal candidate will have an interest in crop physiology and crop improvement, be data literate, and be comfortable working with instrumentation in lab and field settings.

Studentship funding

Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£18,622 2023/24 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years.

Dates

Deadline for applications: Review of applications will begin on 25th August 2023

Provisional Interview Date: 1^st September 2023

Start Date: October 2023

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD Application Form and LEC Funded PhD Reference Form‌.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. 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.
10. 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

Supervisors

Professor Ian Dodd, Lancaster Environment Centre (Lancaster University)

Dr Tim George, Ecological Sciences (The James Hutton Institute)

Summary

Plants can enhance interactions with soil in several fundamental ways. Specifically, by extending their relative root surface area by producing lateral roots and root hairs and through interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Wang et al. 2022). Alternatively, roots can alter the soil physical, biological and chemical properties by exuding compounds which affect soil water relations, release unavailable nutrients and recruit a beneficial rhizosphere microbiome (Hallett et al. 2022). The relative role of these mechanisms in the formation of the rhizosphere or rhizosheath is still not well understood.

This project aims to understand the trade-offs between roots and mycorrhizae with respect to water stress and the role of root exudates and phytohormones in developing this interaction in crop plants. You will assimilate wide-ranging skills, analytical techniques and concepts from a breadth of research fields (root biology, microbiology, plant water relations). This combination will equip you with unique expertise in an emerging area of plant sciences (plant-water relations at the root-soil interface) that will be important to plant breeding companies.

Studentship details

The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, a stipend and laboratory expenses for UK applicants.

The BBSRC NWB grant provides tuition fees and stipend of at least £17,668 (UKRI rate 2022/23).

How to apply

Please complete the NorthWest Bio Application Form and email it directly to Professor Ian Dodd i.dodd@lancaster.ac.uk

Application deadline: 24^th August 2023

Supervisors

Dr Lucy Jackson-Jones, Biomedical And Life Sciences (Lancaster University)

Dr Seth Coffelt, School of Cancer Sciences (University of Glasgow)

Summary

The immune system is key to animal health at homeostasis and during disease. Protection of barrier sites (those exposed to external factors such as the lung and gut) is mediated by diverse mechanisms including specialized unconventional lymphocytes known at gamma-delta T cells. Gamma delta T-cells are innate like cells that can be activated by their environment. Protection at mucosal sites is also mediated by local immune cell clusters within adipose tissues; these structures are called Fat-associated lymphoid clusters or FALCs. FALCs are important for the control of immune activation within the pleural cavity, the protective space that surrounds the lungs. The phenotype of gamma-delta T cells within pleural FALCs is unknown. Furthermore, it is unknown how pleural FALCs respond to inflammation such as that caused by exposure to biopersistent fibres including asbestos. Asbestos is known to be a causative agent in the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma; due a delay between asbestos exposure and disease onset, mesothelioma is predominantly diagnosed in older individuals.

In this PhD project you will investigate the phenotype of gamma-delta T cells at steady state and following local inflammation within the pleural cavity in young and aged mice, with particular focus on analysis of fat associated lymphoid clusters. This project will develop skills in bioscience research and immunology including in vivo and ex vivo analysis of tissues using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. You will be trained in analysis and data interpretation by a Team of experts in gamma-delta T cell biology and pleural immunology.

Studentship details

The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, a stipend and laboratory expenses for UK applicants.

The BBSRC NWB grant provides tuition fees and stipend of at least £17,668 (UKRI rate 2022/23).

How to apply

Please complete the NorthWest Bio Application Form and email it directly to Lucy Jackson-Jones l.jackson-jones@lancaster.ac.uk

Application deadline: 24^th August 2023

Supervisors

Professor Martin McAinsh, Lancaster Environment Centre (Lancaster University)

Dr Will Allwood, The James Hutton Institute

Dr John Hardy, Materials Science (Lancaster University)

Dr Sam Taylor, Lancaster Environment Centre (Lancaster University)

Summary

Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a ubiquitous and increasing global challenge. The World Health Organisation estimates 99% of the world’s population is exposed to unsafe levels of PM. While the impact of exposure to PM on human health is an active area of research, the impact of PM pollution on vegetation remains under-studied and unknown.

You will join an innovative and creative team of researchers with expertise spanning atmospheric sciences, plant physiology, microbiology, metabolomics and materials science to conduct a series of ground-breaking experiments to address this issue.

• What is the impact of the deposition and accumulation of PM on major crop species?
• What defensive strategies do plants adopt to prevent oxidative damage?
• Could these be harnessed to build resilience in vulnerable species and mitigate the impact?

You will receive hands-on training in the development of a PM fumigation system and a wide range of plant physiology, morphology and phenology measurement techniques using a suite of start-of-the-art instruments. You will take tissue samples to study leaf surface traits and for subsequent biochemical analysis. Based at Lancaster, you will have placements at Hutton learning advanced metabolomic techniques and targeted gene expression analyses of plant tissue.

All we ask is that you are curious, creative and looking for a challenge!

Studentship details

The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, a stipend and laboratory expenses for UK applicants.

The BBSRC NWB grant provides tuition fees and stipend of at least £17,668 (UKRI rate 2022/23).

How to apply

Please complete the NorthWest Bio Application Form and email it directly to Professor Martin McAinsh m.mcainsh@lancaster.ac.uk

Application deadline: 24^th August 2023