Investigating how plants use RNA to cope with stress (DING_J26DTP3)
Key details
- Application deadline
- 30 July 2026 (23.59 UK time)
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home students only)
- Start date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary Supervisor - Professor Yiliang Ding
The diversity of RNA structure is wide and varied, from hairpins and bulges through to triplex and quadruplexes. These structures are able to control numerous biological functions from sensing messenger compounds to dictating whether genes are switched on or off. This project will focus in particular on G-quadruplexes, four-stranded RNA structures which are formed from sequences which contain a lot of the base guanine. This project will aim to reveal some of the RNA-based mechanisms which alter gene regulation in plants in response to stress (for example during periods of drought).
This PhD project will involve using biophysical and molecular biology techniques to determine the type of structures which the RNA is able to fold into, how they change in response to the environment and what happens to the biology when they form. The project will be highly interdisciplinary and will involve training in a wide range of techniques, from biophysical and physiological characterisation to in vivo testing in plants. Led by Prof. Yiliang Ding and Prof. Antony Dodd at the John Innes Centre along with Prof. Zoë Waller in the University College London, the successful applicant will enjoy the benefits of working in both a University environment and research institute.
The student will have, or expect to obtain a first-class, 2(i) or equivalent Honours degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy or a related area.
Informal enquiries are welcomed; for further information please contact Prof Yiliang Ding (Yiliang.Ding@jic.ac.uk).
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 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 25 or 26 August 2026.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply. Please note the guidance for the programme Personal and Research Statements, which the programme template documents must be used in the application. 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 use 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 only and must be used for these sections of the application form.
Entry requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy or a related area.
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 (2026/7 stipend rate: £21,805), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
Yu H, Qi Y, Yang B, Yang X, Ding Y. G4Atlas: a comprehensive transcriptome-wide G-quadruplex database. Nucleic Acids Res. 2023;51(D1):D126-D134.
Yang X, Yu H, Duncan S, Zhang Y, Cheema J, Liu H, Miller JB, Zhang J, Kwok CK, Zhang H, Ding Y. RNA G-quadruplex structure contributes to cold adaptation in plants. Nat Commun. 2022;13(1).
Yang M, Zhu P, Cheema J, Bloomer R, Mikulski P, Liu Q, Zhang Y, Dean C, Ding Y. In vivo single-molecule analysis reveals COOLAIR RNA structural diversity. Nature. 2022;609(7926):394-399.
Yang X, Cheema J, Zhang Y, Deng H, Duncan S, Umar MI, Zhao J, Liu Q, Cao X, Kwok CK, Ding Y. RNA G-quadruplex structures exist and function in vivo in plants. Genome Biol. 2020;21(1):226.
Paajanen, P., Lane de Barros Dantas, L. & Dodd, A. N. Layers of crosstalk between circadian regulation and environmental signalling in plants. Curr Biol 31, R399-R413, (2021).