Outer Limits – how plants make their skin

• Funding – BBSRC funded 4 year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805
• Start Date – September 2027
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline

Plants face challenging conditions on land from dehydration, pests, UV exposure and temperature extremes. To survive and thrive, land plants evolved a specialised surface, sealed by a waxy ‘cuticle’ and distinctive epidermal cells such as gas pores and defensive barbs. Cereals in particular show surface innovations underlie to improve their performance on arid grasslands which play important roles in climate resiliency. However, we understand little about how plants coordinate these different features into a coherent surface. 

Our research groups uses barley to learn more about cereal surface formation and its importance to crop survival. In this project, you will apply state of the art biochemical and molecular approaches to find out more about how cereals surfaces develop and respond to environmental change. In particular, you will exploit CRISPR-Cas based gene editing to characterise regulatory components which control cereal surfaces and their importance to plant resiliency under stress. This project will appeal to students keen to explore plant science from molecule to field, and to contribute to crop improvement and food security.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to   make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We  welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening     access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education. 

How to apply

Applications are open to Home & International students

See University Fee Status here

Click ‘Apply Now’ to view the application guidance and download the application form