PhD Studentship: Uncovering the impact of multiple anthropogenic stress factors on rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions
University of Plymouth
Project ID: 3701 Supervisory team Lead supervisors: Dr Harry Child (University of Plymouth) and Professor Iain Hartley (University of Exeter) Other supervisors: Dr Richard Tennant (University of Exeter) and Dr Anne Plessis (University of Plymouth) Registered Institution: University of Plymouth Host Institutions: University of Exeter/University of Plymouth Project description Climate change and anthropogenic land use are known to impose stress factors (known as global change factors) on plants and soil microbial...
Project ID: 3701 Supervisory team Lead supervisors: Dr Harry Child (University of Plymouth) and Professor Iain Hartley (University of Exeter) Other supervisors: Dr Richard Tennant (University of Exeter) and Dr Anne Plessis (University of Plymouth) Registered Institution: University of Plymouth Host Institutions: University of Exeter/University of Plymouth Project description Climate change and anthropogenic land use are known to impose stress factors (known as global change factors) on plants and soil microbial...
Opportunity details
Project ID: 3701 Supervisory team Lead supervisors: Dr Harry Child (University of Plymouth) and Professor Iain Hartley (University of Exeter) Other supervisors: Dr Richard Tennant (University of Exeter) and Dr Anne Plessis (University of Plymouth) Registered Institution: University of Plymouth Host Institutions: University of Exeter/University of Plymouth Project description Climate change and anthropogenic land use are known to impose stress factors (known as global change factors) on plants and soil microbial communities. These global change factors threaten the function, resilience and productivity of natural and agricultural ecosystems. Combined with increasing demand for agricultural productivity and declining soil health, improving the resilience of agricultural systems to these stress factors is vitally important. Simultaneous exposure to stress factors can have synergistic negative effects on plants and soil microbial communities, leading to the "multifactorial stress combination" (MFSC) principle that plant health and soil functions can decline sharply as stressors accumulate. However, multifactorial stress experiments have so far focused on soil microbial communities and plants separately. This project would bridge these fields by investigating combinations of stressors (e.g. warming, drought, soil contaminants and pesticides) at the plant-soil interface. This will address whether the intimate interactions between microbes and plant roots in the rhizosphere can buffer-against or exacerbate the response of microbial community diversity and function to combined stressors. This project will also reveal the influence of multifactorial stress on root traits and rhizosphere interactions to reveal how crops respond to stress combinations belowground, uncovering th...
Eligibility
Through this work, you will learn how to use molecular biology, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to understand complex microbial communities, while also gaining fundamental skills in experimental biology, soil science and plant science. As the project progresses, there is scope for you to direct the research questions depending on your interests, gaining experience of independent research design. For Eligibility, Funding and to Apply, please click on the Apply button Deadline date: Midday (GMT), Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Requirements
Through this work, you will learn how to use molecular biology, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to understand complex microbial communities, while also gaining fundamental skills in experimental biology, soil science and plant science. As the project progresses, there is scope for you to direct the research questions depending on your interests, gaining experience of independent research design. For Eligibility, Funding and to Apply, please click on the Apply button Deadline date: Midday (GMT), Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Funding and benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. Funding amount: The studentship is supported for 4 years and includes full Home and International tuition fees plus a UKRI stipend (2027-28 rate).
How to apply
For Eligibility, Funding and to Apply, please click on the Apply button Deadline date: Midday (GMT), Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Open the official application information
Verify the deadline and final conditions on the official provider page before submitting an application.
Source and verification
Check the current official call before applying
Recorded source check: October 30, 2026. A stored check date does not guarantee that every field is complete or still current. Compare the provider, eligibility, funding and deadline with the live official call before applying.
Benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. Funding amount: The studentship is supported for 4 years and includes full Home and International tuition fees plus a UKRI stipend (2027-28 rate).
Eligibility summary
Through this work, you will learn how to use molecular biology, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to understand complex microbial communities, while also gaining fundamental skills in experimental biology, soil science and plant science. As the project progresses, there is scope for you to direct the research questions depending on your interests, gaining experience of independent research design. For Eligibility, Funding and to Apply, please click on the Apply button Deadline date: Midday (GMT), Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Requirements
Through this work, you will learn how to use molecular biology, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to understand complex microbial communities, while also gaining fundamental skills in experimental biology, soil science and plant science. As the project progresses, there is scope for you to direct the research questions depending on your interests, gaining experience of independent research design. For Eligibility, Funding and to Apply, please click on the Apply button Deadline date: Midday (GMT), Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Documents required
Language/test requirements
Listing-board disclaimer
Prime Scholarship Alerts is an independent listing board, not the scholarship provider, university or funder. We do not select applicants, collect provider application fees or guarantee an award. Verify requirements, deadlines, funding, fees and application instructions through the current provider page before applying.