We have a PhD position available in the University of Glasgow's College
Futures Themes PhD Programme. This position is fully funded for stipend
and tuition fees, and includes a research budget. The studentship is
hosted at the University of Glasgow School of Biodiversity, One Health
& Veterinary Medicine and supervised by Kathryn Elmer, Maureen Bain,
and Neil Evans.

Please find more information here
https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/graduateschool/phd-research-opportunities/futures-programme/projects/fundamentals-of-life/fol22kathrynelmer/

The project is offered within the Future Themes programme, with final
candidate selection handled by the programme committee.

Project: FUNDAMENTAL MECHANISMS OF REPRODUCTION: VIVIPARITY IN AN
EVOLUTIONARY CONTEXT

Summary: Live-bearing reproduction (viviparity) is a key evolutionary
innovation in amniotes, enabling extended maternal-foetal communication
and influencing traits such as immune tolerance, nutrient transport, and
birth timing. While viviparity is well-known in mammals, it has evolved
independently in other lineages, making it difficult to reconstruct
its origins. This project uses the European lizard Zootoca vivipara,
a uniquely bimodal species with both egg-laying and live-bearing
populations, to investigate the physiological and gene regulatory basis
of viviparity. Its recent evolutionary transition and simple placental
structure make it an ideal model for studying early pregnancy evolution.

The research will compare reproductive tissues and gene expression
between oviparous and viviparous individuals, quantify maternal-foetal
communication using hormone assays, and explore foetal signalling through
maternal tissue responses. These insights will advance understanding of
reproductive trait evolution across amniotes.

The student will gain training in molecular biology, next-generation
sequencing, histology, microscopy, hormone analysis, and
bioinformatics. They will also develop skills in animal welfare, data
management, and scientific communication. Working within a collaborative
and experienced research group, including international partners, the
student will contribute to resolving fundamental questions in reproductive
biology and evolutionary development. The student will join an active,
collegial, and dynamic research group with on-going funded project in
this topic.

The successful candidate for this project is likely to be someone with a
strong theoretical background in evolution, developmental biology and/or
genetics, who can show evidence of practical laboratory and analytical
experience in an appropriate field, and demonstrated aptitude for and
interest in biology research. Experience with lizards and a drivers
licence would be an asset.

The University of Glasgow ranks in the world's top 100 universities. The
School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine is an outstanding
research and teaching unit, with many opportunities for collaboration
and discussion in a supportive and productive environment. Glasgow is a
lively cultural city on the doorstep of the beautifully rugged Scottish
Highlands.

Start date: Oct 2026.

Eligibility: This studentship is open to UK home students only.

Deadline: Closing date for applications will be January 12th 2026

Informal inquiries to Kathryn Elmer in advance of the deadlines are
welcome.

Kathryn Elmer <Kathryn.Elmer@glasgow.ac.uk>

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