PhD Studentship: Designing Plant Gene Expression with Explainable AI

Overview

This full-time PhD studentship focuses on designing plant gene expression using explainable artificial intelligence. The researcher will investigate whether explainable artificial intelligence can uncover plant DNA design rules capable of withstanding experimental testing. The project is conducted at the Earlham Institute within the AI for Biology group and involves collaboration with plant genomics experts and the Earlham Biofoundry team. The work involves designing compact libraries of cis-regulatory modules, assembling them into a standard reporter system, and testing them in potato protoplast assays.

Who can apply

Applicants are required to hold at least a UK equivalence Bachelors Honours 2:1 degree. Candidates must also meet the English Language requirement, which corresponds to the Faculty of Science equivalent of an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in each category.

What you get

The successful candidate receives a four-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship. The financial support covers the payment of tuition fees directly to the University and provides a stipend for living expenses, set at the 2026/27 rate of £21,805 per annum. Additionally, a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per annum is provided for each year of the studentship.

Key dates

The application closing date is 30/11/2026. The studentship is scheduled to start on 1 October 2027.