Funded PhD at the University of Exeter on Leveraging Genomic Technologies
to Investigate the Molecular Basis of Sea Lice Resistance

Link to Application and Detailed PhD Description:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5542

The University of Exeter's Department of Biosciences is inviting
applications for a PhD studentship funded by CEFAS and the Faculty of
Health and Life Sciences to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as
possible thereafter.

Our research broadly applies cutting-edge genomic tools to understand
the molecular, evolutionary, and ecological underpinnings of trait
variation in aquatic species, generating insights that support aquaculture
innovation, fisheries management, and biodiversity conservation.

This PhD project will focus on tackling the threat of sea lice parasitism
in wild and farmed salmonids by uncovering the molecular and cellular
mechanisms that drive natural resistance within and between salmonid
species. The project will involve molecular lab work (e.g., preparing
tissue samples for transcriptomic sequencing), and bioinformatic analysis
of newly generated and existing datasets, including bulk RNA sequencing,
single-nuclei RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. The outcomes of
this research will directly inform the development of biotechnological
solutions to enhance sea lice resistance in salmonids, improving
sustainability and animal welfare, while also providing fundamental
insights into the evolution of parasite resistance.

The successful student will receive extensive training in molecular
biology, bioinformatics, immunology, and parasitology, under the
supervision of an interdisciplinary team from the University of Exeter,
University of Stirling, and CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries
and Aquaculture Science). This strong collaboration between government
and academia will provide the student with access to cutting-edge lab
facilities and a dynamic research environment.

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in fish and/or parasite
biology, experience in designing and conducting independent research,
and excellent written and oral communication skills. They should also have
experience using bioinformatics tools to analyse data (particularly within
R and Linux environments), writing and debugging code, and conducting
molecular lab work (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, PCR). Experience working
with large genomic datasets and/or high performance computing will also
be considered an asset.

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus
an annual tax-free stipend of at least ?20,780 for 3.5 years full-time,
or pro rata for part-time study and a research budget of ?21,000 for
conferences, lab, field and research expenses.  The student would be
based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Streatham Campus
in Exeter.

Please see the PhD advertisement page on the
University of Exeter website for further details:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=3D5542

Applications must be received through the University of Exeter website
(link above) by June 20.

For any informal inquiries regarding the position, please email
S.Salisbury2[@]exeter.ac.uk.

Dr. Sarah Salisbury
Lecturer in Sustainable Aquaculture
Dept. of Biosciences
University of Exeter

S.Salisbury2@exeter.ac.uk

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