From Defence to Antibiotic production: Uncovering New Roles for NLR Signalling in Multicellular Bacteria (SCHLIMPERT_J27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- John Innes Centre
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Professor Susan Schlimperthttps://www.schlimpertlab.com/
Nucleotide-binding and oligomerisation domain-like receptors (NLRs) are famous for driving immune responses in plants and animals. However, their extensive presence in multicellular, antibiotic-producing Streptomyces hints at a much richer, untapped functional diversity. This PhD project aims to challenge the paradigm that bacterial NLRs solely function in phage defence, uncovering their broader roles in multicellular development, complex signalling networks, and the regulation of natural products.
By combining computational mining with hands-on experimental biology, you will explore the full spectrum of the Streptomyces ""NLRome"". You will deploy synthetic activation tools to trigger candidate NLRs, investigating how they control bacterial viability, phage immunity, morphological development, and antibiotic biosynthesis. Beyond fundamental biology, this project holds high-impact applied potential: synthetic activation of specific NLRs offers a novel route to switch on silent gene clusters and trigger the production of new bioactive molecules.
As a PhD researcher on this project, you will gain comprehensive, interdisciplinary training across:
• Computational Biology & Bioinformatics: Large-scale genome mining, structural modelling (AlphaFold, Foldseek), and pipeline development.
• Molecular Microbiology & Genetics: Phenotyping, heterologous expression, phage assays, and genetic engineering of multicellular bacteria.
• Protein Biochemistry & Omics: Protein-protein interaction studies, catalytic assays, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.
Based at the John Innes Centre, you will join a supportive, highly collaborative research environment supported by world-class platform facilities and leading experts in plant and bacterial NLR biology.
You will also develop key professional skills through conference presentations, manuscript preparation, and public science outreach.
This project is ideal for a motivated student eager to blend computational analysis with experimental biology to redefine our understanding of ancient signalling proteins.
Informal enquiries to Prof Susan Schlimpert (susan.schlimpert@jic.ac.uk) are welcome.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 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. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
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.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
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.