Protein Use Efficiency in Wheat for reduced agricultural greenhouse gas emmissions (GRIFFITHS_J27CASE)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- John Innes Centre
- Funding Type
- Directly Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Dr Simon Griffiths
PhD Opportunity: Improving Protein Use Efficiency in Wheat
Help shape the future of sustainable wheat production.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious PhD student to investigate protein use efficiency (PUE) in bread-making wheat, an exciting research opportunity addressing one of the major challenges facing modern agriculture: how to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use without compromising crop yield or bread-making quality.
Nitrogen fertiliser is a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represents a significant cost to farmers. At the same time, the wheat milling and baking industry often uses grain protein content as a key indicator of quality, encouraging farmers to apply additional nitrogen to achieve high protein levels. Yet some wheat varieties can produce excellent bread at lower protein concentrations. Understanding why could unlock significant environmental and economic benefits.
Working in collaboration with DSV and the John Innes Centre (JIC), you will investigate the genetic, biochemical and physical characteristics that enable wheat to deliver high loaf volume with lower grain protein content. You will work with advanced wheat breeding materials and landrace collections, combining field and laboratory experiments, baking assessments, molecular genetics, genomics, metabolomics and statistical modelling.
The project will identify traits and genes associated with high PUE and investigate how these varieties perform under reduced nitrogen fertilisation. You will also develop practical tools, including molecular markers and rapid screening approaches, to support the breeding and identification of high-PUE wheat.
This interdisciplinary PhD offers an opportunity to work at the interface of plant genetics, crop science, food quality and sustainable agriculture, while collaborating with academic and industry partners. Your research could contribute directly to reducing nitrogen use and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the quality of bread produced from UK wheat.
Join us in developing the next generation of high-quality, low-input wheat varieties.
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 CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers 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 CASE studentship with INSERT. 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
Epstein, L., Kaur, S. & Henry, P. M. The Emergence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 4 and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. coriandrii Highlights Major Obstacles Facing Agricultural Production in Coastal California in a Warming Climate: A Case Study. Front. Plant Sci. 13, (2022). Bruznican, S., De Clercq, H., Eeckhaut, T., Van Huylenbroeck, J. & Geelen, D. Celery and Celeriac: A Critical View on Present and Future Breeding. Front. Plant Sci. 10, (2020). Denning-James, K. E., Chater, C., Cortés, A. J., Blair, M. W., Peláez, D., Hall, A., & De Vega, J. J. (2025). Genome-wide association mapping dissects the selective breeding of determinacy and photoperiod sensitivity in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 15(6), jkaf090. López-Contreras, L. M., Denning-James, K. E., Carvajal-Tapia, J., Arango, J., Villegas, D. M., Jauregui, R. N., ... & Carvajal-Yepes, M. (2025). Genome-wide association study of a Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) diversity panel reveals the genetic basis of agronomic and nutritional traits. BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 1785.