PhD position under the project entitled “Developing heat-inducible CRISPR-based genetic control tools for the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens)”

Project start date: 31 August 2026

Location: Imperial College London, United Kingdom, with collaboration with USDA APHIS PPQ Science and Technology, IMMDL, Texas, USA, and the University of California San Diego, USA

Funding for: UK students

Funding amount: Fully funded by USDA. The studentship will cover fees and stipend at UKRI rates. For the academic year 2026–27, the stipend rate is £23,805

Deadline for application: To be confirmed

Interviews: 22 July 2026

Informal enquiries: a.meccariello@imperial.ac.uk | https://meccariello-lab.co.uk

Project summary

The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Mexfly), is an important invasive agricultural pest and a priority target for the development of precise, species-specific and environmentally responsible control strategies in the United States. This fully funded PhD studentship will be embedded in a collaborative programme between the Meccariello Lab at Imperial College London and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with additional scientific collaboration from the Akbari Lab at the University of California San Diego.

The project will focus on developing and validating heat-inducible CRISPR-based genetic control tools for Mexfly. By combining insect genetics, transgenesis, functional genomics and molecular biology, the student will investigate systems that allow spatial and temporal control over genome editing activity. This is a key requirement for the development of safer and more controllable genetic technologies for pest management.

The research will build on ongoing collaboration between USDA and the Meccariello Lab to identify and develop new genetic approaches for controlling this invasive species. The longer-term goal is to generate and characterise genetic systems that can contribute to targeted population suppression, including dominant male sterilisation approaches, under appropriate containment, biosafety and regulatory frameworks.

The studentship

The PhD project will have the following objectives:

• Develop a heat-inducible CRISPR toolkit in Anastrepha ludens by testing heat-responsive regulatory elements and temperature-responsive CRISPR systems.
• Generate and characterise transgenic Mexfly lines carrying Cas12a-based and heat-inducible Cas9-based genome editing components.
• Optimise heat-shock induction protocols across developmental stages and evaluate editing efficiency, mutation rates, inheritance patterns and fitness-related traits.
• Identify and test genetic targets associated with male sterility to support the development of CRISPR-based population suppression strategies.
• Assess the performance of the most promising strains in confined laboratory cage trials to evaluate their potential for Mexfly control.

The student will receive comprehensive training in molecular biology, insect genetics, CRISPR genome engineering, transgenesis, insect rearing, fluorescence microscopy, phenotypic assays, sequencing-based analyses and applied genetic biocontrol. The project will also provide experience in collaborative research at the interface between academic science and government-led pest management programmes.

USDA-funded collaborative programme

This is a fully funded PhD studentship supported by the USDA. The project will be supervised at Imperial College London by Assistant Professor Angela Meccariello and will be developed in close collaboration with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, through the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (IMMDL) in Texas.

The collaboration with USDA will ensure that the project remains focused on a real-world agricultural pest management challenge: the development of new control technologies for Mexfly. The student will benefit from regular project meetings, data sharing and joint scientific input from USDA and UC San Diego collaborators. Subject to feasibility, funding, visa and institutional approvals, the student may have opportunities to interact with or visit external partner laboratories.

Project supervisors

• Internal supervisor: Assistant Professor Angela Meccariello, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London
• External supervisor: Evan Braswell, Ph.D., Biological Scientist, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (IMMDL), Texas, USA
• External project supervisor/collaborator: Professor Omar S. Akbari, Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, USA

The candidate

We are seeking a graduate (BSc, MSc or equivalent) with a strong interest in insect biology, molecular genetics, biotechnology and sustainable pest control. The ideal candidate will be curious, rigorous, highly motivated and comfortable working in an interdisciplinary environment involving academic and government partners. This position is open to UK candidates, subject to eligibility.

Essential skills/attributes

• Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain, an Upper Second (2:1) or First Class Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a biological or related science. Candidates with a Master’s degree in addition to a BSc may be given preference.
• Ability to conduct laboratory work, insect handling/rearing and computer-based analyses.
• Strong interest in molecular biology, genetics, insect biotechnology, CRISPR/genome editing and/or sustainable agricultural pest management.
• Commitment to following containment, biosafety and regulatory procedures for work involving genetically modified insects.
• Applicants must meet Imperial College London’s higher-level English language requirements.

Desirable skills/attributes

• Experience with molecular biology techniques, cloning, CRISPR/genome editing, transgenesis, embryo microinjection, fluorescence microscopy, insect rearing and/or bioinformatics will be considered an advantage.
• Experience working with sequencing datasets, gene sequence analysis, RNA-seq or functional genomics would be beneficial.
• Interest in applied research, pest management, translational science and international collaboration.
• Eligibility and willingness to travel to the USA for collaborative activities, if required and approved, would be advantageous.

How to apply

Please send a CV, personal statement and contact details of two referees directly to a.meccariello@imperial.ac.uk by the application deadline, which is to be confirmed.

Interviews will be held on 22 July 2026. The successful candidate is expected to start the PhD on 31 August 2026. After the interview, the successful candidate will need to register as a postgraduate student at Imperial College London.

Terms and conditions

The studentship will cover home fees and stipend at UKRI rates, subject to institutional regulations and funder eligibility requirements. For the academic year 2026–27, the stipend rate is £23,805. Research costs will be covered subject to project approval, institutional regulations and USDA funding conditions.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries about this fully funded USDA PhD studentship can be sent to a.meccariello@imperial.ac.uk. Further information about the Meccariello Lab is available at https://meccariello-lab.co.uk.