Understanding the response of freshwater microorganisms to environmental change through the lens of energy allocation

The Division for Pollution and Policy at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to investigate the effects of environmental change on the morphology, physiology, and behaviour of freshwater microorganisms (such as protozoa).

Protozoa are a ubiquitous and abundant group in aquatic food webs and drive many ecosystem services (e.g., nutrient cycling). However, how these organisms respond and adapt to different drivers of environmental change occurring in natural systems (e.g. warming or exposure to pollutants) is currently not well understood.

Based in and funded by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, this studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend estimated at £21,237 plus Home tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.

The start date will be 1 January 2025.

Overview

To survive and reproduce, living organisms need to maintain an efficient balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. When the environment changes, a previously efficient energy allocation strategy may become inefficient in the new environment, and organisms are required to adapt to the new environment by changing their morphology, physiology, and behaviour. However, how changes in multiple characteristics of the environment (e.g. temperature, resources and pollutant levels) interact to determine phenotypic traits and energy allocation is poorly understood.

This PhD project will address this knowledge gap through controlled laboratory experiments, exposing a range of freshwater Protozoa to different environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and antibiotic levels) and measuring key traits (population growth, metabolic rate, cell size, and movement speed) over both short (within a few generations) and long (multiple generations) timescales.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers who will provide full training for the research.

Eligibility

Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in ecology, zoology, environmental sciences or a related field, a master's qualification in a relevant area would be desirable
Experience in quantitative research in biology is essential
Desirable criteria include experience in standard laboratory techniques (including microscopy) and strong numerical skills
Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a university in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section)

How to apply

If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by 31 October 2024:

An up-to-date CV
A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills)
One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation)
A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities
Names and contact details for two academic referees
A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript
A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable