PhD Studentship in Chemical biology of the interaction between plants and pathogenic nematodes | University of Southampton

Plant parasitic nematodes cause global crop losses of $125 billion. Current chemicals to control these pests have been withdrawn from use due to unacceptable environmental toxicity. This project will develop new experimental tools and explore new chemical agents that can be used to address this important and challenging problem. It builds on the established expertise of the academic supervisors Profs Holden-Dye and O’Connor in nematode neurobiology and involves a new collaboration with Bayer CropScience (Dr. U. Ebbinghaus-Kintscher) which brings a highly relevant industrial perspective to the investigations. The project will benefit from the involvement of Prof Hywel Morgan, a leading expert in developing microfluidic devices, which will facilitate the design and implementation of novel methods for analysing the plant parasitic nematodes.

“Chemical biology of the interaction between plants and pathogenic nematodes”

The project is fully funded by a highly competitive 4 year BBSRC CASE studentship commencing October 2013. The student will be based in the new Institute for Life Sciences Building, University of Southampton and will work across different disciplines encompassing invertebrate neuroscience, chemical biology and host-parasite interactions to investigate new mechanisms for pest control that are grounded in a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of host plant invasion. The student will undertake an industrial placement of a minimum of 3 months, and no more than 18 months, at the partner company Bayer CropScience (Monheim, Germany) with paid travel and accommodation costs. This provides an excellent training opportunity at the interface between academia and industry and hands-on experience of applied science.

The student must hold, or expect to obtain, an upper second or first class degree in a relevant life sciences/natural sciences discipline and satisfy the BBSRC criteria for residence (bbsrc.ac.uk).

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Professor Lindy Holden-Dye lmhd@soton.ac.ukfor further information at the earliest opportunity.

Application should be made by sending a curriculum vitae and supporting letter to Professor Lindy Holden-Dye lmhd@soton.ac.uk using the subject heading ‘CASE’.

Deadline for applications is Mid June 2013. Interviews will be held in early July.

Additional Information:
Location: Highfield Campus
Functional Area: R&D
Industry Type: Pharma/Biotech/Clinical Research
Reference: 234513BJ
End Date: Wednesday 19 June 2013