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PhD opportunities: Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Compare 2 doctoral research opportunities connected with Gatsby Charitable Foundation, including project summaries, funding and application deadlines.

Available PhD opportunities

Biochemistry

Engineering Synthetic Gene Clusters and Genetic Syntax for Crop Protection

Gatsby Charitable Foundation

About the Project Plants have evolved a complex arsenal of mechanical and chemical defences to deter or harm herbivores and insect pests. These adaptations ensure survival by making the plant unpalatable, physically impenetrable, toxic, or difficult to digest. For example, Solanaceous plants produce acyl sugars in glandular trichomes that interfere with insect feeding. Other species produce pyrethroids or limonoids that impart toxicity or bitter tastes or upon leaf damage.

Location: London, United Kingdom
Deadline: 13 November 2026
Funding: Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Biochemistry

Designing Immunity from First Principles: AI Protein Design and Structural Biology to Build Synthetic Plant Immune Receptors. Fully Funded 4-Year

Gatsby Charitable Foundation

About the Project Build a plant immune receptor that has never existed in nature. This fully funded four-year Gatsby Sainsbury PhD at Durham combines generative AI protein design, structural biology and plant immunity. Plant pathogens evolve faster than we can find resistance genes to stop them. Plants defend themselves using intracellular immune receptors called NLRs, which detect pathogen virulence proteins (effectors) and trigger defence.

Location: London, United Kingdom
Deadline: 27 November 2026
Funding: Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)