PhD Studentship: Delivering plastic degrading genes into contaminated soils using bacterial megaplasmids

University of East Anglia - School of Biological Sciences

Primary Supervisor - Prof Jacob Malone

Scientific Background

Soil contamination with plastics and other pollutants causes significant challenges in terms of environmental containment and restoration. For example, the food-safe plastic PET is found throughout the terrestrial ecosystem, where it can persist for decades. Biodegradation has great potential as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution to plastic contamination, and is subject to substantial research interest. We recently discovered a set of plasmid-encoded regulatory genes that have the curious ability to manipulate the behaviour of their host bacteria, dramatically increasing the rate of gene transfer between different bacteria. By combining these genes with plastic biodegradation loci, we can produce plasmids with the ability to effectively drive biodegradation traits into contaminated soil communities.

Methodology

The successful applicant will use a combination of molecular and environmental microbiology, bioinformatics and bioremediation assays to identify new plasmid regulatory genes and determine how they manipulate bacteria. This knowledge will enable them to design, build and test a series of synthetic biodegradation plasmids with enhanced abilities to spread within complex microbial communities, and to metabolise contaminating xenobiotics. Finally, they will assess the impact of their novel plasmids on the efficiency of bioremediation, alongside the short and longer-term impacts of plasmid introduction on the microbial communities of contaminated agricultural soils.

The project will ultimately lead to a molecular-level understanding of plasmid regulation and its role in controlling plasmid spread and pollutant bioremediation in complex microbial communities. Plasmid regulatory genes are widespread among divergent plasmids in a wide variety of bacterial hosts, suggesting that these genes may control bacterial lifestyle, evolution and horizontal gene transfer in a range of different environments.

Training

The project will be hosted at the internationally recognised John Innes Centre, in collaboration with the Manchester Institute for Biotechnology, providing cutting-edge research facilities and a stimulating research and training environment alongside world-leading scientists in the fields of molecular microbiology and microbial biotechnology. They will be part of a friendly, collaborative research team and will gain excellent training in molecular biology, environmental microbiology and bioremediation science. The combination of transferrable, technical skills associated with the project will make the successful candidate highly employable, in industry or academia.

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).

Acceptable first degree: biochemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, or other related bioscience subjects.

Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

1 October 2026

Funding Information

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.