Understanding the Rules of Life in Microbiomes Using Stable Isotope Labelling

About the Project

Microbial communities found in geothermal springs contain organisms capable of efficient CO2-driven carbon cycling so have real potential as systems for CO2 capture and bioconversion that could outcompete current technologies. They have an added advantage of being resistant to, or even being able to utilize sulfur and nitrogen containing compounds that are a real problem for the current methods, and are also relatively low complexity making them ideal systems to study the rules of life that govern microbiomes.

It is becoming clear that the incredible adaptability and resilience of microbiomes is partly achieved through a division of labour between multiple community members. Stable isotope labelling approaches are a powerful way to study and understand this resource sharing in these complex systems, but this remains a challenging technology. This PhD will develop methods for compound-specific, multi-isotope metabolite analysis using state-of-the-art mass spectrometers available at Manchester, along with the data analysis pipelines needed to exploit this complex data. Combined with other data being generated by the multi-disciplinary team, this will extend our understanding of how microbiomes work and allow us to engineer them. This PhD is part of a £5M BBSRC sLoLa and so offers numerous opportunities for training and collaboration.

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 or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) and overseas students. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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.