Funding

Competition funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

ELS51000127

Department

School of the Environment and Life Sciences

Start dates

October 2027

Application deadline

15 January 2027

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2027.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health within the School of the Environment and Life Sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Nicolai Roterman, Dr Angie Beckett and Dr Michelle Taylor (University of Essex). 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 for consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

This funded PhD is only open to new students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Assembling the first reference genome for a hydrothermal-vent decapod, the yeti crab Kiwa tyleri, using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing.
  • Comprehensive training in de novo genome assembly, annotation, phylogenomics and molecular-evolution (selection) analyses, working with the University's Sequencing and Bioinformatics Group.
  • Laboratory work including DNA extraction, primer design, PCR and sequencing of candidate genes across vent and non-vent decapods held in collections at Portsmouth and partner institutions.
  • Identifying genes associated with tolerance of hypoxia and control of symbiotic microbes, with relevance to predicting climate-change resilience and to potential biotechnological applications (biosensing and antimicrobial peptides).
  • Joining an interdisciplinary team spanning marine biology, evolutionary genomics and molecular biology, with opportunities to present at conferences and support from the University of Portsmouth Graduate School Development Programme.

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are among the most extreme habitats for animal life, with steep gradients in temperature, oxygen, sulphide and heavy metals. Decapod crustaceans have colonised vents independently on several occasions, forming intimate symbioses with chemosynthetic microbes and evolving to tolerate chronic hypoxia and chemically reducing conditions. As climate change drives ocean deoxygenation and the expansion of oxygen minimum zones, these animals offer natural models for understanding which species and mechanisms are likely to prove resilient, as well as a potential source of novel biomolecules.

The yeti crab Kiwa tyleri, discovered in 2010 on Southern Ocean vents at 2,500 m depth, feeds exclusively on chemosynthetic bacteria that it farms on hair-like setae. The University of Portsmouth holds an internationally significant collection of frozen K. tyleri specimens, yet no genome assembly exists for any vent-adapted decapod, leaving the genetic basis of these adaptations largely unexplored.

In this project you will:

(i) generate and annotate a draft genome for K. tyleri using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, and place it in a genome-scale phylogeny of crabs and squat lobsters;

(ii) use the assembly to design primers for candidate gene families (hemocyanins and other globins) and sequence them across vent and non-vent decapods;

(iii) apply phylogenetic and selection (dN/dS) analyses to test for positive selection and convergent molecular change associated with independent colonisation of vents;

(iv) mine the genome for antimicrobial-peptide and innate-immune genes that may underpin control of the crab's microbial symbionts.

You will be based at both the Institute of Marine Sciences and the University’s main campus, working closely with the University's Sequencing and Bioinformatics Group, alongside external partners including the University of Essex. The project provides training in genome sequencing, assembly and comparative genomics that is highly transferable to careers in academia, biotechnology and environmental genomics.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

You should have a degree in biology, marine biology, genetics or a related discipline, and a strong interest in molecular evolution, deep-sea biology or crustacean biology. Experience of molecular laboratory techniques (e.g. DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing) is desirable, as is some prior experience of bioinformatics, command-line (Unix/Linux) computing, or programming in R or Python. Familiarity with phylogenetic analysis would be advantageous, but full training in genome sequencing, assembly and comparative genomic analysis will be provided. You should have good project and time management skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

How to apply

If you have any project-specific questions please contact Dr Nicolai Roterman ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code ELS51000127 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.