PhD in Pangenomics of Wild Fisheries Species at Earlham Institute, UK

About the Position

Earlham Institute is advertising an ARIES doctorate on genomic variation and population structure in Atlantic bluefin tuna and Atlantic herring.

The project involves CEFAS researchers.

Official Project Title

Pangenomes and population genomics of wild fisheries species

Research Focus and Methods

Use long-read sequencing and pangenomes to investigate genetic diversity, structural variation and demographic history. The work connects genomic evidence with sustainable management of commercially harvested fish populations.

Research Training and Development

Training covers bioinformatics, population genetics and evidence relevant to fisheries policy.

Funding and Duration

Studentship funding and award conditions

Component	Details
Award	PhD studentship; selection is competitive
Programme	NERC ARIES
Duration	Four years
Stipend	UKRI-rate living stipend; a project-specific numeric amount is not stated on the Earlham advert.
Tuition and research support	Advertised as a funded four-year NERC ARIES doctorate, with tuition-fee and stipend support under programme rules.
Award conditions	Selection is competitive; an advertised project does not guarantee a studentship.
International tuition	ARIES partners cover the difference between UK and international tuition fees. Visa and immigration health surcharge costs are not covered by ARIES funding.

Eligibility and English Language

Applicant qualifications and funding eligibility

Component	Details
Applicant eligibility	UK and international applicants may compete for ARIES awards, with international recruitment subject to the programme cap.
Academic preparation	Meet the relevant ARIES and registering-university doctoral entry requirements; the Earlham page does not specify a grade threshold.
Project interests and skills	Interest or experience in genomics and population genetics; reference HAERTY_EI_ARIES27_CASE.
English language	Meet the host university’s English-language admission rules. An approved alternative or exemption may apply; IELTS is not universally mandatory.

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	16 December 2026
Start date	1 October 2027
Research location	Norwich, United Kingdom

Contact

• Email: wilfried.haerty@earlham.ac.uk
• Email: jose.devega@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: 16 December 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. Follow the Apply link on the Earlham project page for the ARIES route.
2. Use the project reference when contacting the supervisor or preparing the application.
3. Check the current host-university checklist for academic records, statements, references and language evidence.

Use the ARIES route linked from the Earlham advert. Do not use an Essex-specific submission email for this Earlham project. Consult the registering university’s current checklist.

Supervisors and Contact

Supervisory team and contact details

Supervisor	Role	Email
Dr Wilfried Haerty	Primary Supervisor	wilfried.haerty@earlham.ac.uk
Dr Jose De Vega	Co-supervisor	jose.devega@earlham.ac.uk

Application Preparation

For application preparation, see How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips, Is a PhD Funded for International Students? How to Check the Advert and How to Read a PhD Job Advert: Funding, Eligibility and Application Steps.

Official Link

• Official project description
• Official partner summary of ARIES funding and international eligibility
• Dr Wilfried Haerty: official profile
• Dr Jose De Vega: official profile

2026/27 UKRI reference rate: the minimum UKRI doctoral stipend is £21,805 per year, tax-free (London institutions +£2,000), effective 1 October 2026.

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