PhD Studentship: Investigating virus evolution – how host genetics impacts the emergence of plant viruses

Award Summary

100% Home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024-25 UKRI rate). Additional consumable funds provided - £1000 pa.

Overview

Interested in plants and the impact of changing agricultural practices on virus evolution; can this exacerbate emerging disease in crops? Next generation sequencing will explore the diversity of viruses infecting cereals and grasses to understand how genetically tolerant and resistant plant varieties can impact sequence diversity in virus populations in infected plants and clarify knock-on impacts of changing agricultural practices. 

Withdrawal of neonicotinoid insecticides has led to re-emergence of aphids and the viruses they transmit; genetic resistance has been introduced as a control measure. This project explores fundamental understanding of deploying tolerant crops at a broad scale, examining impacts of selection pressures on virus evolution and durability of resistance. 

The student will work in collaboration with Newcastle University, Fera Science Ltd and KWS, providing a broad perspective on the problem, from academia to industry and government. We will train students to use next generation sequencing and bioinformatics to study plant virus evolution, alongside skills focused on plant pathology, virology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. General soft-skills and research training provided, along with the industry/government connections will provide graduates with the best possible career prospects. 

Number Of Awards

One

Start Date

16th September 2025

Award Duration

3 Years

Application Closing Date

19th August 2024

Sponsor

Institute for AgriFood Research Innovations 

Supervisors

Neil Boonham (Newcastle University), Adrian Fox and John Walshaw (Fera Science Ltd) and Nicholas Bird (KWS) 

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in Molecular biology, Virology, Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Microbiology or similar. 

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.  

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.  

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.  

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code:8020F 
• Research area Biological Sciences 
• Select PhD Biology (Full-Time) –as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section: 

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form 
• The studentship code SNES296 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field 
• When prompted regarding your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.   

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:  

• your CV   

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.  

Contact Details

For further information contact: neil.boonham@newcastle.ac.uk. 

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