Summary: A scholarship opportunity is available for a PhD program focusing on the impact of water-use efficiency on strawberry fruit production and quality. This research aims to address challenges posed by climate change, particularly drought and high temperatures, through developing crop varieties with improved water relations.
PhD in Genetics – Water-Use Efficiency in Strawberry Production
Designation
PhD Candidate
Research Area
- Plant Sciences
- Genetics
- Computational Biology
- Applied Statistics
Location
- On-site at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (Niab), East Malling
- Registered at the University of Kent, Canterbury
- Opportunities to collaborate with Niab headquarters in Cambridge
Eligibility/Qualification
- Candidates must be assessed as home fee-paying students.
- An Honours Degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of 2.1 in relevant scientific subjects is required.
- Students with an appropriate Master’s degree are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of sufficient English language proficiency.
Job Description
The PhD project entails:
- Characterizing stomatal trait variations in large strawberry germplasm collections that influence water-use efficiency.
- Identifying genetic loci controlling these traits, developing markers for breeding, and generating new strawberry varieties.
- Quantifying the effects of water-use efficiency on plant resource utilization, growth rates, fruit production, and quality.
- Evaluating how improved water-use efficiency can lower production costs, enhance sustainability, and resilience in the strawberry industry.
Supervision will be provided by Dr. Graham Dow (Niab) and Dr. Helen Cockerton (University of Kent).
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply for a full-time place in the PhD Genetics program at the University of Kent for September 2025 entry by completing the Scholarship Declaration of Interest Form after their course application.
Last Date for Application
May 30, 2025, at 23:59 BST
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in June 2025. For any inquiries related to the research content, please contact Dr. Graham Dow at graham.dow@niab.com.
