PhD Studentship: Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance of Responses to Environmental Stress
Overview
This full-time, fixed-term PhD studentship is hosted by the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. The research project investigates transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of responses to environmental stress using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The work addresses how critical cellular stress responses are transmitted between generations, whether this transmission improves population survival and Darwinian fitness in stressful environments, and the underlying mechanistic basis of this inheritance.
Who can apply
Applicants should be enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals possessing a strong interest in evolution, ecology, genetics, and stress response biology. The position is open to both home and international applicants, though the number of studentships available for international candidates is limited. Successful candidates meeting UKRI eligibility criteria receive a fully funded award, while registering universities waive the fee difference for international students. ARIES funding does not cover relocation expenses, living costs in the UK, visa fees, or the health surcharge.
What you get
The successful candidate receives a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per annum, along with coverage for tuition fees and a research training and support grant. Appointees acquire diverse technical and professional skills spanning experimental design, statistical analysis, bioinformatics, scientific writing, presentation, and physiological techniques. Training also encompasses participation in external courses, conferences, local seminars, research discussion groups, and journal clubs.
Requirements
Selected researchers utilize single-cell RNA sequencing to establish a transcriptomic signature for stress response inheritance and screen candidate regulators involved in the process. The work is conducted on site in the United Kingdom on a full-time basis.
Key dates
The closing date for applications is December 16, 2026.