PhD Scholarship in Science

PhD Studentship

Metabolic plasticity, immunocompetence and the evolution of geographical range size in organisms

Plymouth University -Faculty of Science and Technology

DoS: Dr John Moody (john.moody@plymouth.ac.uk , tel.: 01752 584636)

Co-supervisors: Dr David Bilton (david.bilton@plymouth.ac.uk, Tel.: 01752 584608); Dr Richard Billington (richard.billington@plymouth.ac.uk , tel.: 01752 584659).

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on October 1^st 2012.

Project Description

It is well known that most species are rare, with restricted geographical distributions, but the underlying drivers of relative range size are less well known.  An understanding of what controls rarity is important, and may allow us to predict how rare and common species will respond to ongoing climate change. Work on European diving beetles at Plymouth University has demonstrated a fundamental link between niche breadth, in the form of thermal physiology, and range size. How common or rare a species is can be predicted from its tolerance of low and high temperatures. Species with narrower temperature tolerances are far more restricted, and it is these species which seem likely to be the most vulnerable to on-going climatic changes. Within individual genera there are very closely related species (often sister species in a phylogenetic sense), with widely differing tolerances to temperature, which are reflected in very different geographical ranges. This project will extend our previous work on these rare/common species, asking whether widespread species are also more metabolically and immunologically plastic than their close relatives.  The project will use a number of approaches to examine the plasticity of energy metabolism/storage and immunocompetence for rare/common diving beetles in response to thermal and hypoxic stress, and the effects of acclimation temperature on this plasticity; and carry out a comparative proteomics study on their responses to extremes of temperature.

Eligibility

Applicants should have (at least) a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant MSc or MRes qualification.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home/EU tuition fees plus a stipend of £13,590 per annum.  International students can apply provided they can pay the difference between Home/UK and overseas tuition fees.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr John Moody by emailjohn.moody@plymouth.ac.uk However, applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:

For an application form and full details on how to apply, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/postgraduateApplicants should send a completed application form along with a covering letter detailing their suitability for the studentship, C.V., and 2 references to Catherine Johnson, Faculty of Science and Technology Research Office, Room A425, Portland Square, Plymouth PL4 8AA or email catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews during the week starting 3^rd September. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received an offer of a place by 28^thAugust should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday 15 August 2012