About the Project
Are you passionate about plant biology, endosymbiosis, or bioengineering? Join a cutting-edge research project exploring how plants communicate with beneficial soil microbes to uptake nutrients. This project aims to uncover key molecular calcium signalling mechanisms at the heart of plant-endosymbiont partnerships, with exciting implications for future crop improvement and environmental sustainability.
By combining state-of-the-art technics in cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and proteomic, this project aims at characterizing a novel signalling pathway that activate root endosymbiosis. The insights gained will provide unique knowledge to develop strategies for enhancing root endosymbiosis and, thus, optimising plant nutrition, while promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.
To achieve this, the student will be part of an enthusiastic and collegial team within a vibrant international and scientific community, supported by cutting-edge research facilities and excellent training opportunities.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
Entry requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Mode of study
Full-time
Start date
1 October 2027
Funding Notes
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
Cook et al., Nature (2025) doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08424-7 Lam et al., Current Biology (2024) doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.063 Del Cerro et al., PNAS (2022) doi: 10.1073/pnas.2200099119 Charpentier et al., Science, (2016) doi: 10.1126/science.aae0109 Charpentier, J Exp Bot (2018) doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ery160