PhD in Biology - Developing novel insecticidal proteins for crop protection

About the Project

Lead supervisor: Dr Federico Sabbadin

Co-supervisors: Dr Michael Plevin and Prof Sean Sweeney

Case partner: Syngenta

The student will be registered with the Department of Biology (University of York)

Developing novel insecticidal proteins for crop protection

Project Overview: Undertake a cutting-edge PhD research project at the UoY’s prestigious Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), focused on one of the most pressing challenges in agriculture: effective and sustainable pest control. You will characterise newly identified insecticidal proteins and evaluate their potential as an environmentally friendly, bio-based solution for protecting crops against major agricultural pests, in collaboration with Syngenta.

Key Objectives:

1. Recombinant protein production: Use advanced molecular biology techniques to produce recombinant insecticidal proteins in our lab, using state-of-the-art chromatography techniques.
2. Physico-chemical characterisation: The purified proteins will be studied using advanced physico-chemical techniques to determine protein purify, oligomeric state and structure-function properties.
3. Toxicity testing: You will evaluate the insecticidal potential of your proteins through a series of in vivo toxicity assays, using both model insect species and real agricultural pests. This will involve measuring mortality, developmental disruption, and behavioural effects, providing critical insight into mode of action.

Research Environment: You will be part of a friendly, interdisciplinary team at CNAP, collaborating with experts in molecular biology, biochemistry, entomology, and plant biotechnology. The project will leverage CNAP’s world-class research facilities and the UoY’s strong partnerships with Syngenta.

Collaboration Opportunities: This project offers fantastic opportunities for both national and international collaborations. You will engage with a leading international agricultural biotechnology company to enhance the scope and impact of your research.

Expected Impact: Your research will contribute to the development of sustainable pest control strategies, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides and promoting environmental health.

Candidate Profile: We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong background in molecular biology, structural biology, biochemistry, or related fields.

The University of York are committed to recruiting future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and we have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

The Department of Biology holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award. We are committed to supporting equality and diversity and strive to provide a positive working environment for all staff and students.

Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with any biological, chemical, and/or physical science backgrounds, or students with mathematical background who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions.

Programme: PhD in Biology (3 years)

Start Date: 21 September 2026

Funding Notes

This is a self funded project and as such applicant should be able to cover tutition fees and living expenses for the duration of 3 years.