Endosymbiosis-mediated Regulation of Nuclear Calcium Signalling (CHARPENTIER_J27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026
- Location
- John Innes Centre
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
"Are you passionate about plant biology, endosymbiosis, or bioengineering? Join a cutting-edge research project exploring how plants communicate with beneficial soil microbes to uptake nutrients. This project aims to uncover key molecular calcium signalling mechanisms at the heart of plant-endosymbiont partnerships, with exciting implications for future crop improvement and environmental sustainability.
By combining state-of-the-art technics in cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and proteomic, this project aims at characterizing a novel signalling pathway that activate root endosymbiosis. The insights gained will provide unique knowledge to develop strategies for enhancing root endosymbiosis and, thus, optimising plant nutrition, while promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.
To achieve this, the student will be part of an enthusiastic and collegial team within a vibrant international and scientific community, supported by cutting-edge research facilities and excellent training opportunities.
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Entry Requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
Cook et al., Nature (2025) doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08424-7 Lam et al., Current Biology (2024) doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.063 Del Cerro et al., PNAS (2022) doi: 10.1073/pnas.2200099119 Charpentier et al., Science, (2016) doi: 10.1126/science.aae0109 Charpentier, J Exp Bot (2018) doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ery160