"PhD Studentship: Investigating Emerging Disease Threats to UK Oilseed Rape from Fungal Pathogens"

Overview

• Qualification type: PhD
• Subject area: Microbiology and crop protection
• Location/Campus: Hatfield, College Lane Campus
• Start date: 1 September 2026
• Closing application date: 10 March 2026
• Duration: fully funded 4 years, full-time.

Project outline

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is the third most important arable crop in the UK. However, maintaining the production of this crop is very challenging due to the changing climate and extreme weather events, combined with pests and diseases. Phoma stem canker is a damaging disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses worth £60-70M, despite the use of fungicides. The disease is caused by two closely related fungal species, Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb), which co-exist on their host. Lm has different races while Lb has different subclades. Recently, virulent Lm races overcoming the commonly used resistant genes (e.g. Rlm7) have been detected. Previously, only the Lb ‘brassicae’ (Lbb) subclade was identified in the UK. However, this changed in 2022 when the Lb ‘canadensis’ (Lbc) subclade was identified at two sites in the UK. Previously, Lbc mainly occurred in Canada and Australia, but recently it was also detected in China, where Lbb was predominant, and caused severe damage to OSR and brassica vegetables. This PhD project aims to understand the mechanisms underpinning changes in pathogen populations to improve disease management.

Supervisors

This PhD is based at the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with Rothamsted Research and ADAS.

University of Hertfordshire: Prof Yongju Huang (y.huang8@herts.ac.uk), Dr Chinthani Karandeni Dewage (c.s.karandeni-dewage@herts.ac.uk).

Rothamsted Research: Prof Jon West (jon.west@rothamsted.ac.uk), Dr Kevin King (evin.king@rothamsted.ac.uk)

ADAS UK Ltd: Dr Faye Ritchie (faye.ritchie@adas.co.uk), placement to gain work experience with the agricultural industry

Entry requirements

Essential

BSc in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines, with First or Upper Second Class (2:1) honours.

Desirable

MSc by Research, or MSc in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines, with First or Upper Second Class (2:1).

Eligibility

Applicants need to have permanent UK resident status.

How to apply

All applicants should email the following documents:

• a completed application form
• two academic references - to be send direct from the referee to the Doctoral College: doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk.
• copies of your degree qualification certificates and transcripts
• a personal statement.

Your completed application and supporting documents should be emailed to: doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk via the above 'Apply' button.

You can also see the application information from the Doctoral College website: https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/research-degrees-and-doctoral-college

Interviews will take place: April 2026 (exact dates TBC)

For informal enquires please email Prof Yongju Huang and Dr Kevin King or other supervisors. Applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisors informally to discuss the project.

Funding information

The studentship provides 4 years funding for a tax-free stipend, currently at £20,780 pa, and university fees. This PhD studentship is funded by the University of Hertfordshire and three agricultural charities.