PhD in Single-Cell Genomics of Euglena at Earlham Institute, UK

About the Position

This Earlham Institute PhD will map gene-expression changes across the Euglena gracilis cell cycle.

It examines a protist whose regulation differs substantially from familiar plant and animal systems.

Official Project Title

A single-cell atlas of the Euglena gracilis cell cycle

Research Focus and Methods

Profile individual cells, reconstruct cell-cycle trajectories and investigate responses to light and temperature. Combine culturing and imaging with development of single-cell RNA-sequencing workflows and computational interpretation.

Research Training and Development

Training spans laboratory culture, imaging, sequencing and quantitative analysis.

Funding and Duration

Studentship funding and award conditions

Component	Details
Award	PhD studentship; selection is competitive
Programme	BBSRC Norwich Research Park Biosciences DTP
Duration	Four years
Stipend	UKRI-rate living stipend. The programme quotes £21,805 per year for 2026/27; the 2027/28 rate is not yet published on the checked funding page.
Tuition and research support	Four-year NRPDTP award: tuition, living stipend and research funding.
Award conditions	Selection is competitive; an advertised project does not guarantee a studentship.
Research Training Support Grant	£5,000 per year
Visa and IHS contribution	For October 2027 entrants, up to £3,500 towards eligible individual visa and immigration health surcharge costs after enrolment and registration, with evidence. Dependants are excluded.
Stipend amount status	£21,805 is the published 2026/27 reference rate. Subsequent academic-year rates and the amount in an individual funding offer should be checked separately.

Eligibility and English Language

Applicant qualifications and funding eligibility

Component	Details
Applicant eligibility	UK and international applicants; international recruitment is capped at 30% of the programme intake.
Academic preparation	First or upper-second-class honours degree, or equivalent; alternative experience routes are described in the programme rules.
Project interests and skills	The project explicitly welcomes biological, computational and physical-science backgrounds.
English language	UEA English-language requirements apply. Accepted evidence or an applicable exemption is required; the requirement may be met as an offer condition.
Alternative academic route	A lower-second-class degree may be considered with a suitable master’s qualification or significant relevant research or non-academic experience.

About Earlham Institute

Earlham Institute is a life sciences research institute based at Norwich Research Park in England. Its research focuses on genomics and computational biology, using experimental and analytical approaches to understand living systems. The institute supports scientific collaboration, specialist technology and researcher training, connecting biological data with questions across diverse organisms.

Official website: https://www.earlham.ac.uk/

Application Dates and Location

Deadline, start date and research location

Item	Details
Application deadline	30 November 2026
Start date	1 October 2027
Research location	Norwich, United Kingdom

Contact

• Email: neil.hall@earlham.ac.uk
• Email: iain.macaulay@earlham.ac.uk

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be sent to the contacts above or raised through the channel given on the official announcement page.

Important Notes

• Application deadline: 30 November 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
• Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
• Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.

How to Apply

1. Read the official project advert and NRPDTP eligibility guidance.
2. Discuss the project with the supervisor; the programme strongly encourages contact before applying.
3. Complete the mandatory NRPDTP Personal Statement and Research Statement proformas; missing proformas result in rejection.
4. Prepare your CV, academic records, two referee contacts and any required English-language or identity documents.
5. Submit through UEA’s admissions system using the link on the official NRPDTP guidance page.

You may apply for up to three NRPDTP projects, with a separate application for each.

Application Checklist

• NRPDTP Personal Statement Proforma
• NRPDTP Research Statement Proforma
• CV
• Academic certificates and transcripts, including current results for unfinished degrees
• At least two referee contacts, including one academic referee
• English-language evidence, where required
• Passport and relevant immigration documents, where required

Supervisors and Contact

Supervisory team and contact details

Supervisor	Role	Email
Professor Neil Hall	Primary Supervisor	neil.hall@earlham.ac.uk
Dr Iain Macaulay	Co-supervisor	iain.macaulay@earlham.ac.uk

Application Preparation

For application preparation, see How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips, Academic CV for PhD Applications: Structure and an Example and SOP, Personal Statement or Research Proposal: What Each Document Does.

These guides support preparation but do not replace the mandatory NRPDTP statement proformas.

Official Link

• Official project description
• NRPDTP funding
• NRPDTP academic and language eligibility
• NRPDTP application guidance and proformas
• Professor Neil Hall: official profile
• Dr Iain Macaulay: official profile

Application guides

• How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips
• How to Read a PhD Job Advert: Funding, Eligibility and Application Steps
• UK Student Visa Application: CAS, Documents and Financial Evidence