PhD Opportunity: Climate-linked microbial interactions in green tide causing seaweed

Introduction

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of Earth’s most abundant organosulfur molecules and Ulva seaweeds, which cause green tides, are prolific DMSP producers. Ulva species produce DMSP as an anti-stress compound and can cleave DMSP to liberate the climate-cooling gas dimethylsulfide (DMS), but the precise role of DMSP in Ulva is unclear. Furthermore, DMSP released by Ulva into the environment has roles in signalling and recruiting beneficial bacteria, which use DMSP as a nutrient and facilitate further DMS production. This project will use multidisciplinary techniques to explore how and why Ulva makes and degrades DMSP and to study its interactions with associated bacteria that utilise the DMSP Ulva produces.

Methodology

• Oceanographic sampling to establish a laboratory stock of Ulva lactuca and cultivate under varied environmental conditions at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] with Saha.
• Analytical techniques (e.g. chromatography and mass spectroscopy) to quantify Ulva DMSP synthesis and catabolic rates, with training by Hopkins at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].
• At UEA, characterisation of expression and activity of key Ulva DMSP synthesis and lyase genes/enzymes by PCR-based techniques and enzymology with Todd.
• Training in cutting-edge molecular ecology (DNA-stable isotope probing and metagenomics) to identify microbes that utilise DMSP for carbon from Ulva samples.
• Culture-dependent molecular microbiology to characterise model DMSP-degrading microbes isolated from Ulva.

Training

You will receive exceptional training at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and UEA in molecular ecology and microbiology, bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, coastal marine fieldwork and in writing high impact publications. You will learn good laboratory practice, quality assurance, and receive health and safety training. You will present your findings at weekly team meetings, high-profile international scientific conferences, and in peer-reviewed scientific publications and your PhD thesis.

Person Specification

• Committed, pro-active, and self-reliant candidate keen to master a wide range of techniques.
• Experience in some of the key components including chemistry is desirable.
• Acceptable first degree subject(s): Biological, Environmental, Chemical, Marine or Atmospheric Science.

Funding Notes

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the ARIES NERC DTP. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a NERC studentship, which covers fees, stipend (£17,668 p.a. for 2022/23) and research funding. International applicants are eligible for fully-funded ARIES studentships including fees. ARIES students benefit from bespoke graduate training and £2,500 for external training, travel and conferences. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend. ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion.

How to Apply

Read more about this opportunity and find out how to apply on the ARIES website: https://www.aries-dtp.ac.uk/studentships/saha23/