Studentship
Blackgrass vs. Blotch: Discovering Natural Defences Against Wheat’s Biggest Threat

Project Summary

Area of Science:
Microbiology
Duration:
4 Years
Closing Date/Time:
December 3rd 2025 at 12:00
Contact:
Jason Rudd
Host University:
University of Exeter
Science Department:
Translating Biotic Interactions

Downloads

swbio-26-projectRR-2.pdf

Project Description

This PhD offers a unique opportunity to study two major challenges to UK cereal production: Alopecurus myosuroides (blackgrass) and Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt). Blackgrass is Western Europe’s most problematic and costly weed, while Zt causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a disease capable of inflicting sever yield losses in wheat. Despite growing side-byside with wheat, blackgrass does not develop STB, even when intentionally exposed to Zt in the lab - suggesting blackgrass has natural resistance mechanism(s) that wheat lacks.This project aims to understand why blackgrass is unaffected by Zt and to assess whether insights from this non-host interaction can inform novel strategies for enhancing wheat protection. By revealing natural resistance pathways, this work supports more sustainable and resilient cereal production.Key Research Activities:- Confirm resistance – Systematically demonstrate blackgrass’s non-host status and document fungal development using advanced bioimaging.- Pathogen screening – Leverage diverse Zt isolate collections, including fluorescently tagged and UV-mutagenized strains, to identify variants that might breach blackgrass defences.- Weed diversity analysis – Use an extensive panel of fieldderived blackgrass germplasm to uncover natural variation in resistance.- Real-world data – Collect samples from Rothamsted’s 800-ha farm to validate lab findings under field conditions.- Molecular and genomic tools – Integrate cell biology, physiology, and genomics to identify and validate candidate resistance mechanisms.Training & EnvironmentSupervised jointly by Rothamsted Research (Dr Dana MacGregor, Dr Jason Rudd) and the University of Exeter (Dr Helen Fones, Dr Michael Deeks), you can work in both host institutions. You will develop a wide array of skills: from confocal microscopy and quantitative bioimaging to pathogen screening, genomics, statistics, and bioinformatics. You’ll work across lab, glasshouse, and field settings, and be supported with dedicated training in experimental design, coding, data analysis, and communication through the structured SWBio DTP programme.Person specificationWe welcome applicants from any background in plant pathology, molecular biology, weed science, or related disciplines. You should value interdisciplinary and collaborative research, be motivated by solving real-world agricultural challenges, and keen to help develop new ways to protect crop yields sustainably.This project will not only advance scientific understanding of non-host resistance in a major weed species but also bridge that knowledge to crop protection, helping shape a more resilient future for cereal agriculture

Eligibility

Academic criteria

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or have significant relevant research or non-academic experience.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, quantitative/mathematical experience is needed.  This can be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

  • Undertaking units as part of your degree that have a significant quantitative/mathematical component*
  • Maths or Physics A-level (grade B and above)

*Significant mathematical component examples include; maths, statistics, bioinformatics.

Applicants must ensure they highlight their quantitative/mathematical background within their application and to upload any supporting evidence.

To support accessibility to PhD training opportunities, these studentships are only available to applicants that have not previously obtained or about to obtain a PhD degree (or equivalent).

Language requirements

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme.  Further information about these English requirements >>

We ask that the language requirements are met by 1st June at the latest, to allow adequate time to obtain any necessary documentation to allow you to study in the UK.  Further information about documentation required >>

Residence criteria

IMPORTANT: Residency requirements are complex and too detailed to capture in full below.  So please read alongside guidance provided on the GOV.UK website and UKCISA website to ensure you meet the criteria.  

Home students

Fully-funded studentships are available for Home students.  To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirement) or,
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

International students

If you do not meet the above criteria, you will be classed as an International student.

A limited number (up to 30%) of UKRI fully-funded studentships are available through the SWBio DTP, that applicants who would be classed as an International student are eligible for.  This also means that there are normally no restrictions on applying to any project that is advertised (unless otherwise indicated). .  Please apply through our normal application route.

Note: A UKRI fully-funded studentship will only cover what is listed under the ‘UKRI-BBSRC funded studentship‘ section.  However there may be other costs that you may encounter and need to take into consideration which will not be covered by the studentship. For example, visa fees, healthcare surcharge, relocation costs and COVID-19 related quarantine costs

Funding Details

UKRI-BBSRC funded studentship

Projects advertised during the main SWBio DTP recruitment period (this period will be indicated by an application deadline) are all 4 years fully-funded (subject to being made a studentship offer following the SWBio interview day).

A fully-funded four year SWBio DTP studentship will cover:

  • a stipend* (at the standard UKRI rate; £19,237 per annum for 2024-2025)
  • research and training costs
  • tuition fees **
  • additional ring-fenced funds to support your training, including a 3-month placement

A limited number (up to 30%) of UKRI fully-funded studentships are available through the SWBio DTP, that applicants who would be classed as an International student are eligible for.  This also means that there are normally no restrictions on applying to any project that is advertised (unless otherwise indicated).   Further information about residence criteria >>

* An enhanced stipend is available for students with a recognised veterinary degree qualification (£28,738 per annum for 2024-2025). There may also be enhanced stipends associated with projects that have a CASE partner (CASE projects are highlighted as *CASE in the project lists).

** International students will not be required to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees.

Further funding information

Your PhD stipend:

Your student status:

Considerations for international students

IMPORTANT: A UKRI fully-funded studentship will only cover what is listed under the ‘UKRI-BBSRC funded studentship’ section.  However there may be other costs that you may encounter and need to take into consideration which will not be covered by the studentship or via the institution. For example, visa fees, healthcare surcharge, relocation costs and guarantor services.

To give you an indication* of costs:

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):

Compulsory, entitles you to access to National Health Service (NHS)

£776 per person, per year of your visa. You will be charged £388 for part of a year under 6 months and £776 for part of a year over 6 months. Use the IHS calculator to estimate how much you will be charged. There are limited circumstance where you will be eligible for a refund, please read the IHS webpage for details.

Application fee:

Prices increase for premium applications to receive a quicker decision

Outside UK: £490 (standard)

Inside UK: £490 (standard), £990 (priority), super priority may be available

Additional charges:

Biometrics appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre

Outside UK: country specific

Inside UK: Free appointments are available at some centres. Charged appointments cost from £139 depending on the location and time of appointment.

These costs are indications, so please ensure you read the relevant Government websites for the exact costs at the time you are starting your programme.

* Source: University of Exeter’s International Student Support webpage

Funding information for external-funded applicants >>

How to Apply

Your application

Please submit an application through our SWBio DTP centralised application system (known as Good Grants).  Note: The application system is not yet live.  A link will be provided here shortly when we are able to start accepting applications.  You can join our mailing list to be notified directly when you can submit an application.  

Only applications submitted through this online form and by the application deadline will be accepted.

Submitting multiple applications?

  • You can submit more than one application but only a maximum of 2 applications to the same hosting institution within the 3 types of studentships.
  • Applications for an individual project will be considered separately by the project supervisors.
  • If you are successfully nominated for more than 1 project within this 2 application maximum, the DTP Hub will be in contact to confirm your preferred project choice to be interviewed for.

Examples

 

Alongside, please do read through our ‘Selection Process‘ information.  This is full of really useful information including what we are looking for in a SWBio DTP student, the selection process and when our virtual DTP interview days will be taking place.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status. We welcome applications from individuals who have previously studied at any recognised Higher Education Institute and from a range of career paths (please refer to the SWBio DTP academic criteria for eligibility), including individuals who have previously trained in the sciences and are wanting to return to scientific research.

To enable greater access to a PhD, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part‐time study requests. All our supervisors support us with this, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible. Further information >>

Institution information

Please click on the name of the institution for further information.  This will guide you to:

  • institutional programme information
  • information about the institution
  • a contact if you have any institutional-specific queries – if the query is in relation to your application, please contact swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk

University of Bath

University of Bristol

Cardiff University

University of Exeter

Rothamsted Research

Swansea University

University of the West of England (UWE)

University of Plymouth

 

Application requirements

As part of your application you will be asked to include:

  • Information related to yourself
  • Project details
  • Names of references
  • Information about your motivation, your experience and your academic qualifications.  These are a series of guided questions which replace a CV and personal statement.
  • To support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Anonymous EDI information, interview support, a contextual statement and the opportunity to submit an application to our Recognising Researcher Potential (RRP) scheme
  • Documents: Academic transcripts / degree certificate(s), visa/passport (where applicable for applicants that would meet international fees status)

Further guidance and how your data will be shared will be included in the online application form.

Further application information

Programme expectations

  • This is an in-person PhD programme, and you are expected to attend in person from the start of the programme and based at the listed host institution (exception is for standard studentships with associate partner where you will spend time at each of the listed supervisor’s institutions).
  • As a cohort based programme with an integrated taught first year, there is one formal programme start date at your institution (this will either be September or October depending on your institution).
  • To support access to bioscience PhDs, we do not accept applications from applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD (or equivalent).
  • This is a 4 year PhD programme, and you are expected to submit your thesis within 4 years (4 years based on a full-time equivalent).
  • A range of part-time options are available (minimum of 50%) for the majority of our projects. Only home students are eligible for part-time study due to visa complexities for international students. Please discuss further with the listed project supervisor ahead of submitting your application. Further information >>

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