PhD Studentship: Whole genome sequencing from mosquito blood meals

Overview

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme offers a four-year PhD research project at the University of East Anglia within the School of Biological Sciences. The research focuses on pioneering the sequencing of whole animal genomes from mosquito blood meals, moving beyond standard species detection to investigate animal DNA and pathogen DNA.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold a background in biology such as genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, or biotechnology, along with strong interests in molecular biology laboratory work, genomics, evolution, and data analysis. Candidates are required to meet academic entry criteria of at least a UK equivalence Bachelors Honours 2:1 degree, as well as English language requirements equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6 in each category.

What you get

The successful candidate receives a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees paid directly to the university, an annual stipend of £21,805 for living expenses based on the 2026/27 rate, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. The four-year programme includes professional development, research skill training, and a three-month professional internship placement.

Requirements

Candidates must use bespoke templates provided on the programme website for their applicant personal and research statements to ensure accessibility for underrepresented groups. The successful student will engage in wet-lab and computational genomics, participate in journal clubs and departmental seminars, and present their work at conferences.

Key dates

The application closing date is 30 November 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 2, 3, and 4 February 2027. The studentship start date is 1 October 2027.