About the Project
Given the accelerating pace of climate change it is important to understand how plants adapt to temperature changes and how to engineer crops to cope with more variable seasonal growth environments. Yet surprisingly, the basic mechanisms by which plants sense and adapt to temperature remain only partly understood. This PhD opportunity will suit candidates interested in studying how plants adapt to changing temperatures, and who wish to learn the latest techniques in single cell analysis, genomics, chromatin biology and molecular biology.
Gene silencing is a fundamental process in all eukaryotes which in plants is necessary for normal development of all organs, and for defence against a range of pathogens. It has been known for some time that the strength of gene silencing is affected by the growth temperature. In this project the successful student will study how this temperature sensitivity adapts the growth and development of plants to seasonal changes in temperature, allowing plants to grow new organs especially adapted to winter, spring, and summer conditions via chromatin modifications.
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:
Doctoral Training Partnership | PhD opportunities for bioscience graduates
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).
Mode of study
Full-time
Start date
1 October 2027
References
Adaptation of seed dormancy to maternal climate occurs via intergenerational transport of abscisic acid. Chen X, Bezodis W, González-Suárez P, Knitlhoffer V, Goldson A, Lister A, Macaulay I, Penfield S. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Sep 16;122(37):e[contact details available in the full listing]. doi: 10.1073/pnas.[contact details available in the full listing].
A specialized ARGONAUTE enables trans-species RNA interference in plant immunity. Wang M, Yang C, Yuen EL, Fang X, Qi F, Yang S, Koch BL, Li K, Hou Y, Oh T, Tang B, Feng L, Zhang X, Bozkurt TO, Feng X, Ma W (2026) bioRxiv [contact details available in the full listing]; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/[contact details available in the full listing]
Winter warming post floral initiation delays flowering via bud dormancy activation and affects yield in a winter annual crop. Lu X, O'Neill CM, Warner S, Xiong Q, Chen X, Wells R, Penfield S. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Sep 27;119(39):e[contact details available in the full listing]. doi: 10.1073/pnas.[contact details available in the full listing].
Fei, Y., Pyott, D.E. and Molnar, A. (2021), Temperature modulates virus-induced transcriptional gene silencing via secondary small RNAs. New Phytol, 232: 356-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17586
Zhong SH, Liu JZ, Jin H, Lin L, Li Q, Chen Y, Yuan YX, Wang ZY, Huang H, Qi YJ, Chen XY, Vaucheret H, Chory J, Li J, He ZH. Warm temperatures induce transgenerational epigenetic release of RNA silencing by inhibiting siRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. [contact details available in the full listing]):9171-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.[contact details available in the full listing]
