Primary Supervisor – Professor Jacob Malone

Scientific background

Soil contamination with plastics and other pollutants causes significant challenges in terms of environmental containment and restoration. For example, the food-safe plastic PET can be found throughout the terrestrial ecosystem, where it can last for decades. Biodegradation has great potential as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to plastic pollution, and is the subject of significant research interest. We have recently discovered a group of plasmid-encoded regulatory genes that have the peculiar ability to control the behavior of their host bacteria, greatly increasing the rate of gene transfer between different bacteria. By combining these genes with plastic biodegradation loci, we can produce plasmids with the ability to effectively drive biodegradation traits into contaminated soil communities.

methodology

The successful applicant will use a combination of molecular and environmental microbiology, bioinformatics and bioprocessing assays to identify novel plasmid regulatory genes and determine how they interact with bacteria. This knowledge will enable them to design, build and test a series of synthetic biodegradation plasmids with enhanced abilities to spread within complex microbial communities and metabolize contaminating xenobiotics. Finally, they will evaluate the impact of new plasmids on bioremediation efficiency, along with the short- and long-term effects of plasmid introduction on microbial communities in contaminated agricultural soil.

The project will ultimately lead to understanding the molecular level of plasmid regulation and its role in controlling plasmid spread and bioremediation of contaminants in complex microbial communities. Plasmid regulatory genes are widely distributed among divergent plasmids in a wide range of bacterial hosts, suggesting that these genes may control bacterial lifestyle, evolution, and horizontal gene transfer in a range of different environments.

an exercise

The project will be hosted at the internationally recognized John Innes Centre, in collaboration with the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, providing cutting-edge research facilities and a stimulating research and training environment alongside world-leading scientists in the fields of molecular microbiology and microbial biotechnology. They will be part of a friendly and collaborative research team and will receive excellent training in molecular biology, environmental microbiology and bioprocessing science. The combination of transferable, project-related technical skills will make the successful candidate highly employable, in industry or academia.

Entry requirements

At least a UK BA (Hons) equivalency of 2:1. English language requirements (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Acceptable first degree: Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, or other relevant bioscience subject.

Study method

Full time

Start date

October 1, 2026

Financing information

ARIES Scholarships are governed by UKRITerms and Conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded scholarship, which covers fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26) and a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). A limited number of scholarships are available to international applicants, with the difference between ‘national’ and ‘international’ fees waived by the registered university. However, please note that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with moving to and living in the UK, such as visa costs or additional health fees.