This is an exciting opportunity to explore the role of complex microbial communities in promoting resilience and maximising yields in large scale algal bioreactors exposed to different environmental conditions. The specific aims are:
- To optimise large-scale production of a high-value carotenoid compound that is naturally released in nanoparticle form by a marine alga.
- Develop a mechanistic understanding of the assembly of these complex microbial communities using ecological theory and mathematical models.
The questions we address are: (1) how does the microbial community change during cultivation across the seasons?, (2) what is the impact of the microbial community on culture resilience or productivity?, (3) what are the community-related mechanisms behind these ecosystem functions? and (4) can we develop a theoretical understanding of the mechanisms of assembly that yield microbial communities capable of enhancing resilience and productivity of these cultures?
The project will integrate environmental inputs, algae physiological parameters and microbial community eDNA data to develop predictive mechanistic models which can be utilised to develop an optimal cultivation strategy. The project is cross-disciplinary in nature, building skills in molecular biology, bioinformatics, ecological mathematical modelling, algal physiology and cultivation. We are looking for a highly self-motivated individual able to progress both the mathematical, computational and laboratory aspects of the project to maximum effect.
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
Scholarship open to UK fee-eligible applicants only.
Funding Duration: 3 Years
Funding provider: EPSRC DTP 25/26 Fully Funded Studentship
Subject area:Algae biotechnology/computational biology/microbial community networks/ecological theory/evolutionary mechanisms/biomass productivity optimisation/high-value products
Project start date:01 October 2025
Supervisors: Dr Steve Slocombe and Dr Miguel Lurgi
Aligned programme of study:PhD in Bioscience
