About the Project

Microorganisms are nearly ubiquitous in the environment and persist under the most extreme conditions including pressure, pH, salinity and temperature. Environments with elevated levels of radiation were thought to be inhospitable to life, however new research shows that microorganisms are not only present but thrive in such environments. For example nuclear facilities such as spent nuclear fuel ponds (SNFPs) are known to support diverse microbial communities in conditions of significant levels of radioactivity, alongside high pH (~11.5), and low levels of nutrients (1-3).

DNA sequencing in our laboratory has identified the microbial communities present in several of Sellafield’s SNFPs, including those that are likely to form microbial blooms. The organisms inhabiting these facilities are likely to utilise adaptive strategies that enable them to withstand the inhospitable conditions present in these facilities. Previous research has investigated the response of closely related microorganisms to ionising radiation, which included the production of carotenoids (4) and elevated levels of polysaccharides (5). This PhD project aims to investigate for the first time the response and tolerance of microorganisms native to SNFPs to ionising radiation. The assumption is that microorganisms isolated from these facilities will have enhanced levels of radiation tolerance and therefore provide novel insights adaptation strategies. The outcomes of this project will provide a fundamental understanding into the mechanisms of radiation resistance and therefore explores the limits of life.

The project aims to understand the response of microorganisms native to spent nuclear fuel ponds to ionising radiation. The specific focus of the project includes:

Culturing microorganisms from radioactive pond waters
Exposing these cultures to a range of irradiation sources representative of SNFP levels
Application and development of a range of omic and analytical techniques to investigate the molecular and physiological responses of the microorganisms to irradiation treatments

The project will utilise a multi-omics approach to assess the response of microorganisms to the irradiation treatments, therefore the project will combine lab-based experimental work alongside bioinformatic analysis. The experimental work will involve microbial culturing, growth assessments and exposing the microorganisms to irradiation treatments. The work will be carried out using specialised experimental facilities within the NNUF RADER (https://www.nnuf.ac.uk/rader), the Williamson Research Laboratories (https://www.ees.manchester.ac.uk/wrc/), and at the Dalton Cumbrian Facility (https://www.dalton.manchester.ac.uk/research/facilities/cumbria-facilities/). Bioinformatics pipelines will be used to analyse meta-omics data, providing new insights into microbial responses to ionising radiation.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science discipline (e.g. biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, molecular biology).

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the main supervisor for this project before you apply. For informal enquiries, please contact Lynn Foster at lynn.foster@manchester.ac.uk

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
CV
Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.