Biosciences : Fully Funded EPSRC DTP PhD in the ALGALNETS Unravelling the assembly of microbial interactive communities in algal bioreactor (RS858)

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

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 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: 

1. To optimise large-scale production of a high-value carotenoid compound that is naturally released in nanoparticle form by a marine alga.
2. 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. 

Further reading: 

Araujo, G., Montoya, J. M., Thomas, T., Webster, N. S., & Lurgi, M. (2025). A mechanistic framework for complex microbe-host symbioses. Trends in Microbiology, 33(1), 96–111. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2024.08.002 

Araujo, G. & Lurgi M (2024) Mutualism provides the basis for biodiversity in eco-evolutionary community assembly. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.02.578708 

Bišová, K., & Zachleder, V. (2014). Cell-cycle regulation in green algae dividing by multiple fission. Journal of Experimental Botany, 65(10), 2585–2602. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert466 

Gee, C. W., Andersen-Ranberg, J., Boynton, E., Rosen, R. Z., Jorgens, D., Grob, P., Holman, H.-Y. N., & Niyogi, K. K. (2024). Implicating the red body of Nannochloropsis in forming the recalcitrant cell wall polymer algaenan. Nature Communications, 15(1), 5456. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49277-y 

Goldford, J. E., Lu, N., Bajić, D., Estrela, S., Tikhonov, M., Sanchez-Gorostiaga, A., Segrè, D., Mehta, P., & Sanchez, A. (2018). Emergent simplicity in microbial community assembly. Science, 361(6401), 469–474. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat1168 

Hu, J., Amor, D. R., Barbier, M., Bunin, G., & Gore, J. (2022). Emergent phases of ecological diversity and dynamics mapped in microcosms. Science, 378(6615), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abm7841 

Lian, J., Steinert, G., de Vree, J., Meijer, S., Heryanto, C., Bosma, R., Wijffels, R. H., Barbosa, M. J., Smidt, H., & Sipkema, D. (2022). Bacterial diversity in different outdoor pilot plant photobioreactor types during production of the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. CCAP211/78. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 106(5), 2235–2248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11815-3 

Marañón, E. (2015). Cell Size as a key determinant of phytoplankton metabolism and community structure. Annual Review of Marine Science, 7, 241–264. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-010814-015955 

Seymour, J. R., Amin, S. A., Raina, J.-B., & Stocker, R. (2017). Zooming in on the phycosphere: the ecological interface for phytoplankton–bacteria relationships. Nature Microbiology, 2(7), 17065. https://doi.org/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2017.65 

Slocombe, S. P., Huete-Ortega, M., Kapoore, R. V., Okurowska, K., Mair, A., Day, J. G., Stanley, M. S., & Vaidyanathan, S. (2021). Enabling large-scale production of algal oil in continuous output mode. IScience, 24(7), 102743. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102743 

Wickman, J., Litchman, E., & Klausmeier, C. A. (2024). Eco-evolutionary emergence of macroecological scaling in plankton communities. Science, 383(6684), 777–782. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adk6901 

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor's degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject. Or overseas Bachelor's degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject

Or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) – see country-specific qualifications

IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

ATAS 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with the scholarship course offer.

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

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS858 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS858
• the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Steve Slocombe - s.p.slocombe@swansea.ac.uk  

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.