For more information, visit: http://etiennelowdecarie.org/2016/10/03/phd-studentship-extremophiles-everywhere-and-the-limits- of-microbial-life/
Deadline: midnight on Sunday 8 January 2017 Supervisory team: Etienne Low-Décarie Terry McGenity Charles Cockell Background Life is almost ubiquitous on Earth: organisms live wherever there is liquid water. However, whether all types of microorganisms can be found everywhere is a longstanding debate, with important implications for the health of humans and their environment. Microbes must be put on the map! Measuring the capacity to grow in extreme conditions is an excellent way to test for the diversity of types found in natural environments. Research goal Determine the abundance of extremophiles in benign environments. Compare the physiological breadth of organisms found in these benign environments to organisms isolated from extreme environments. Research methodology The student will conduct field sampling at selected marine and freshwater sites across the UK and at two sites hosting a diversity of extremes (the salt deposits of Boulby Underground Laboratory, UK, including MgCl2-rich brines, and acidic volcanic habitats in Iceland). Serial dilutions of samples from these sites will be cultured in a wide range of extreme conditions (pH, salinity, MgCl2, etc.) in the lab to measure the abundance of extremophiles in these sites. Isolated extremophiles will be characterized using both traditional microbiological techniques and state-of-the-art DNA sequencing approaches. The global applicability of findings from the field and the lab will be investigated using computational approaches to query growing databases of DNA-sequences that have worldwide coverage. Training In addition to training as part of EnvEast and the University of Essex graduate training program, which includes training in statistical analysis and science communication, the student will receive training in: field sampling approaches, innovative microbial culturing techniques, high-throughput robotic liquid handling and culture characterization, molecular techniques for the analysis of DNA sequences and bioinformatics. Person specification We seek a highly motivated individual who is enthusiastic about problem solving. The student will have a degree in biology, in a branch of environmental science or in engineering. The student will be enrolled in the PhD program of the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Essex (http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/offices/graduate/) and will benefit from professional development through Proficio (http://www.essex.ac.uk/study/pgr/proficio/default.aspx). Experience with microbial cultures or sequence analysis would be an asset, as would a valid UK/EU drivers license. Funding Successful candidates who meet RCUKs eligibility criteria will be awarded a NERC studentship. In most cases, UK and EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for 3 years are eligible for a full award. In 2016/17, the stipend was £14,296. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview day on the 17th or 18th February 2016. For further information, please visit www.enveast.ac.uk/apply. www.enveast.ac.uk/projects
