Fixed-term
Plant thermal tolerances across scales: from a single tree to global trends
Details Applications are invited for this exciting, fully-funded, 42 month PhD studentship at the University of Aberdeen. This project is part of the newly established Anthony & Margaret Johnston Centre for Doctoral Training in Plant Sciences enabled by a generous legacy gift. Changing climates pose risks to plants worldwide. To better understand these risks and plan mitigations around them, we need more data on the range of temperatures that plants can tolerate and how they cope with both high and low temperature extremes. This PhD project will combine fieldwork and data synthesis to extend a high-profile global dataset of plant thermal tolerances and model plant responses to complex patterns of thermal exposure, starting with a single tree in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, and scaling up to global patterns across all land plants. The scientific outputs will advance the field of plant thermal ecology and evolution, and aid future land use and conservation action. Background: The supervisory team recently published the most comprehensive global database of plant thermal tolerances to date (Lancaster and Humphreys 2020). Since then, studies on plant thermal tolerances have rapidly accumulated, adding new data across diverse habitats, as well as for different plant parts (e.g. leaves and pollen). At a much smaller scale, in 2023 the Antonelli Foundation in Brazil spearheaded a revolutionary project: to exemplify the fine scale complexity of forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the context of a single tree, a giant fig. The One Tree team has been measuring temperature and humidity in and around different parts of the tree hourly since November 2023. This project will synthesise new data from the literature, own field measurements (One Tree) and the existing database, providing a new resource for plant thermal physiology and forecasting climate change responses in plants. Approach: Global dataset: The student will extend the database to incorporate more species and tissues, intraspecific variation, and information on plant life history strategies that may impact physiological tolerances. The data will be released in an interactive web format. Field data collection (One Tree): The student will conduct fieldwork and measure thermal responses to microclimatic variation across the whole tree during two field seasons in Brazil, to assess the roles of plasticity and biotic interactions in shaping plant thermal responses. Analysis: The student will model time series temperature and land use data to discover how variation in environmental temperature shapes global variation in thermal tolerances, using a new method (Redana et al. 2024). Further analyses may consider evolutionary history and potential trade-offs with other plant traits. Support: The student will receive hands-on supervision in data synthesis, botanical knowledge, thermal ecology, eco-evolutionary and GIS-based modelling, further career mentoring, science communication training, opportunities for networking (e.g. via international conferences and with collaborators in Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, and USA), and outreach. Research visit(s) to Dr Humphreys in Stockholm are also offered. The supervisory team are highly supportive of individual PhD trajectories and have a strong track record in training successful academics and non-academic ecological practitioners (100% of former PhD students are now in high-level employment within the ecology/evolutionary biology field). The School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen provides a stimulating and collegiate environment with over 100 PhD students, a dedicated postgraduate society, a weekly seminar series, annual student conferences and retreats, and dedicated support staff. The student will join the 3rd cohort of the Anthony and Margaret Johnstone Plant Centre for Doctoral Training in Plant Sciences, which brings further opportunities to collaborate scientifically and on outreach, including contributing to our beautiful and taxonomically-diverse botanical gardens. Northeast Scotland is a scenic and stimulating place to live with local festivals, hillwalking and rugged coastal trails, and rich cultural history. Project funding is guaranteed. Interested potential students are encouraged to contact Prof Lancaster (lesleylancaster@abdn.ac.uk) with informal inquiries. Candidate Background: Candidates should have a first degree in Biology, Biological Sciences, or a related subject. We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics. We also invite applications from those returning from a career break, industry or other roles. We typically require a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or equivalent), but exceptions can be made where applicants can demonstrate excellence in alternative ways, including, but not limited to, performance in masters courses, professional placements, internships or employment. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit the following documents: A cover letter to the supervisor of the project you are applying for. An up-to-date CV detailing your academic qualifications, employment history, and any other relevant experience. Please ensure your current permanent address is clearly stated, as this will be used to determine your fee status. Clear copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (if available). Your application should be submitted as a single email to pgrc-recruitment@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “Plant Science CDT – [Your Name]“. The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 21st June 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Funding Notes This 42 Month opportunity is open to UK/Home fee students only. The studentship includes a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (£21,805 for the 2026/27 academic year). References • Lancaster and Humphreys 2020 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918162117• Geange et al. 2020 https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.17052,• Tushabe and Rosbakh 2025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pce.15207).• Fitzpatrick “Adventures in a Fig Tree” blog post: https://antonelli-lab.net/2024/06/21/adventures-in-a-fig-tree/• Redana et al. 2024; https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11451 Apply Now
Inhibition of WNT signalling in colorectal cancer via targeted degradation of FAM83F-CK1a and FAM83G-CK1a complexes.
Funding – self-funded/externally sponsored applicants (PhD Fees can be found here) Applications are accepted year round Standard Entry dates – January and September Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline. Hyperactivation of WNT/β-catenin signalling is a prominent hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite progress in understanding the pathogensis of CRCs, there are still limited treatment options. The Sapkota lab has recently uncovered critical roles for the poorly characterised FAM83 proteins, FAM83F and FAM83G, in activation of WNT/β-catenin signalling. Specifically, FAM83F and FAM83G activate WNT signalling through interaction with CK1α. Furthermore, loss of FAM83G-CK1α interaction and inhibition of WNT signalling underpins the pathogenesis of a skin disorder termed Palmoplantar Keratoderma caused by missense mutations in FAM83G. Excitingly, anti-myeloma drug lenalidomide, which targets the degradation of CK1α also degrades FAM83F and inhibits WNT signalling. This PhD project aims to build on these findings and establish the substrates of FAM83F-CK1α and FAM83G-CK1α complexes in WNT signalling, establish their molecular bases by solving the structures of the complexes, and develop degraders (PROTACs and/or molecular glues) to target the degradation of FAM83F and/or FAM83G to inhibit WNT signalling and proliferation in colorectal cancers. The project will employ a range of cutting-edge technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, Cryo-EM & crystallography, mass-spectrometry, organoid models, DEL screens to identify tool compounds, and development of optimized compounds into PROTACs. The student will be exposed to working alongside some leading pharmaceutical industries, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen Pharaceuticals, GSK and Amgen, that collaborate with the Sapkota lab. The prospective student will be based in the Sapkota lab at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU within the School of Life Sciences (SLS). The MRC PPU is one of the world’s most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/). Many world-leading researchers in the field of signal transduction have trained within the MRC PPU. The major aims of the MRC PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research. The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide, the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities. 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 Please contact the principal project supervisor to discuss your interest further, see supervisor details below. For general enquiries, contact SLS-PhDAdmin@dundee.ac.uk Supervisors Principal supervisor Professor Gopal Sapkota Professor G.Sapkota@dundee.ac.uk +44 (0)1382 386330 Second supervisor Professor Satpal Virdee Professor s.s.virdee@dundee.ac.uk +44 (0)1382 388738
The mechanisms of ageing in Phenylketonuria
Project advert We are seeking a PhD candidate to join a translational research project investigating premature ageing in adults with Phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by impaired phenylalanine metabolism. Although newborn screening and dietary treatment have dramatically improved outcomes, emerging evidence suggests that adults with PKU may experience subtle cognitive deficits and accelerated biological ageing despite early treatment. This interdisciplinary project will explore the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in ageing-related changes in PKU. The successful candidate will investigate biomarkers of oxidative stress, frailty, sarcopenia, cardiovascular and bone health, body composition, neurocognitive function, and quality of life in adults with PKU compared with healthy controls. The project includes clinical research and biochemical analysis with the aim of identifying clinically useful biomarkers associated with ageing in PKU. Participants will be stratified across age groups to examine how ageing trajectories change over time and compared to age-matched controls. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in metabolic disease, ageing biology, clinical research, and translational medicine. Applicants with backgrounds in metabolic disorders and experience in working in a clinical setting with human participants are encouraged to apply. Project aims and objectives To assess whether people with PKU are more susceptible to premature ageing and frailty, as assessed by the frailty phenotype, sarcopenia assessment, quality of life and measures of bone and cardiovascular health. To investigate mechanisms that may contribute to premature ageing in people with PKU, such as oxidative stress and inflammation using biochemical markers and gut biome analysis with an aim to identify the markers that delineate ageing in PKU with the highest yield to translate into a clinically useful panel for assessment of ageing in PKU patients. Funding Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 6-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27 (pro-rata for part-time study). The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27 (pro-rata for part-time study). Specific requirements of the candidate The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements. The candidate should have experience in working on metabolic diseases, especially PKU, and experience and expertise in performing clinical studies. How to apply Interested applicants may contact either Professor Chris Murgatroyd or Dr Karolina Stepien for an informal discussion. To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a part time PhD in Biological Science Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal. Applications closing date: 16 June 2026 Expected start date: October 2026. Please quote the reference: SciEng-CM-2026-27-Ageing and PKU
Research Assistant in Cancer Biology
About the role As a Research Assistant, you will join a highly collaborative team at the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre (SDDC) under the supervision of Prof Erika Mancini and Dr Antony Oliver to deliver a pilot project funded by Blood Cancer UK. The project centres on validating a novel therapeutic strategy for a high-risk subset of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Your primary focus will be generating the critical pilot and mechanism-of-action datasets needed to support a major translational drug discovery grant submission. Working under the direct supervision of senior lab members, you will execute standardized, pre-optimized protocols to include: culturing and maintaining a panel of leukaemia cell models to map drug efficacy via cell viability and clonogenic survival assays, executing target knockdown experiments, and conducting combination drug screening. You will also characterize how inhibitors induce cell death by running molecular and cell biology assays, including tracking cell cycle arrest, measuring markers of DNA damage via microscopy and flow cytometry, and using Western blotting to monitor protein expression pathways. Ultimately, you will take ownership of running these standardized, pre-optimized protocols to deliver robust quantitative data package endpoints within the project timeframe. About you Ideally, you will have a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology or biochemistry, though a BSc degree combined with equivalent practical laboratory experience will also be considered. You will possess the practical technical skills required to perform standard cellular and molecular biology assays, including cell culture, viability screenings, and protein analysis. You must be an organized individual with the skills to manage your own workload effectively to meet project deadlines. Excellent communication skills are essential, as you will interact regularly with line management and scientific collaborators within the research team. Experience in handling and maintaining cancer cell lines is highly desirable. About our School In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology. The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact. We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences. Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website. The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swann Award. The School of Life Sciences is part of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Why work here Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme. Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. Find out more about our reward and benefits package. Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion. Further Key Information Please contact Erika Mancini (em420@sussex.ac.uk) or Antony Oliver (ao218@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquires. The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex. The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Eligibility Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified and the going rate is £41,500. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend on whether a candidate can make use of tradeable points to meet the salary offered and whether the candidate holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 4 April 2024. The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. Attachments Job_Description_Ref_43640.pdf Closing Date June 12, 2026 4:29 AM Expected Interview Date To Be Confirmed. Expected Start Date As Soon as Possible. Fixed Term Contract Duration Fixed Term for 9 months. If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to be made to the selection process, please contact us on (01273) 873743 or recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk to discuss your requirements. Apply Now