EastBio: The role of epitranscriptomic RNA modifications in eukaryotic evolution and capacity to respond to environmental change

Details

This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.

How organisms evolve in ever-changing environments remains a critically important question in ecology and evolution. Climate change and human activity are causing unprecedented environmental stresses, to which organisms must adapt. Rapid responses to the environment can occur through physiological adjustments by modulating gene expression and protein repertoires, which provide raw material for natural selection to confer long-term adaptation on a population and species level [1].

Epigenetic modification of mRNA is emerging as an intriguing mechanism that could generate such molecular diversity. For example, individual nucleotides in mRNA can be chemically modified (RNA methylation) or mutated (RNA editing), causing direct effects on proteome composition without changing the DNA sequence [2]. Many economically and environmentally significant eukaryotes use spliced leader trans-splicing (SLTS) to modify the 5’ ends of their mRNAs. This curious mechanism facilitates the organisation of eukaryotic genes into operons to coordinate gene expression [3] but also affects genes that are not in operons, which suggests that SLTS may have other functions, such as regulating translation efficiency [4]. However, we know little about the evolutionary history of SLTS and its role in allowing organisms to respond to environmental factors.

This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to study SLTS and other epitranscriptomic RNA modifications in a comparative evolutionary framework throughout Eukarya, and for testing predictions experimentally using the established model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The project could also develop experimental frameworks in non-model organisms used in our research groups, for example crustaceans or algae. This project will particularly suit students looking to develop their own research questions in the molecular biology of evolution, such as:

• How common is SLTS throughout the eukaryotic tree of life?
• Did SLTS evolve in parallel in phylogenetically independent lineages?
• What is the extent of epitranscriptomic diversity in natural populations?
• Can epitranscriptomic changes confer phenotypic plasticity and adaptation?

Approaches to studying these questions include:

• Bioinformatics analysis of publicly available genomes and RNA sequencing data
• Long-read RNA sequencing methods for surveying epitranscriptomics patterns in natural populations
• Controlled stress experiments in microcosms
• Genome engineering via CRISPR/Cas9 and molecular genetics in C. elegans.
• Modern biology is increasingly interdisciplinary, relying on computational data analysis of multi-‘omics sequencing data and traditional fieldwork and lab-based skills. This project will provide training in all these aspects, a combination that is highly sought after in both academic and industrial career tracks.

This project is available for part-time study (Home/UK students only).

Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.

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ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.

1. Application submission

Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Send your application as a single email with the subject line: “EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”

2. Required documents

Your application email must include the following:

• Completed EASTBIO application form
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Two references (one reference may be non-academic)

3. References

All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).

References can be either:

• Included with your application, or
• Sent directly by referees to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “EASTBIO Reference – [Your Name]”

All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.

Important notes

• No research proposal is required.
• Do not include any additional documents (for example, school certificates, conference papers, or dissertations).
• Incomplete applications or those including unnecessary materials will not be considered.
• Due to workload constraints, we are unable to follow up on missing documents or process incomplete applications.
• All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.

For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

This fully funded, four-year PhD project is offered as part of a competition within the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. The opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, although the proportion of international students recruited through the EASTBIO DTP is capped at 30% by UKRI BBSRC.

EASTBIO studentships provide a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (estimated at £22,437 for the 2027/28 academic year), a training grant of £5,000 per year for the first three years (and £1,500 in the fourth year), and a travel and conference allowance of £230 per year.

Please note that EASTBIO is unable to fund visa costs or associated healthcare surcharges for international students.