Avian viromics; anthropogenic and ecological effects in Berthelot’s pipit (RICHARDSON_U25DTPR)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 19/05/2025 (at midnight)
- Location
- Quadram Institute
- Funding type
- Directly Funded (Home)
- Start date
- 1st October 2025
- Mode of study
- Full Time
- Programme type
- PhD
Project description
Primary Supervisor - Prof David S Richardson
Viruses represent most new pathogens that impact humans. Their emergence is often caused by close interaction between humans and wild animal populations, exacerbated by anthropogenic activities. Songbirds are often closely associated with humans but almost nothing is known about their virome even though they can carry pathogens that are transmissible to humans, pets and livestock. Understanding the factors that elevate songbird viral diversity and transmission is important to human health and commerce, and the health and persistence of wild animal populations.
Modern molecular methods, including metagenomic sequencing, now provide the tools to screen viruses in wild animals. Studies show that apparently healthy animal populations can carry an extensive virome, but generally only describe it without evaluating what affects its composition.
Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelotii) exists in 14 populations across the Macaronesian archipelago. It occupies islands that vary extensively in the type and intensity of human activity present (e.g. urbanisation, poultry farming), as well natural environmental factors (e.g. altitude, rainfall)
In this exciting, multidisciplinary project -which combines fieldwork, cutting-edge molecular tools, bioinformatics and important concepts- you will characterise the pipit virome. Then by assessing virome variation within island populations you will investigate how host-virus coevolution, key anthropogenic activities and important ecological variables impact virome dynamics. This will enable better understanding of the human-songbird viral interface, the potential for zoonosis, and the evolutionary ecology of wildlife viromes.
Based within a vibrant and friendly group at at UEA (with David S Richardson, Sarah Worsley) and working with Evelien Adriaenssens (Quadram institute - also on the Norwich Research Park). These world-leading centres of excellence focus includes evolutionary biology, wildlife disease, genomics and host-microbe interactions. You will receive excellent interdisciplinary training (including field and lab work, genomics, bioinformatics and analysis) and career development from the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral training partnership.
The Norwich Research Park (NRP) Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on either the 11th or 12th June 2025.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.