About the Project
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the Red-ALERT CDT, hosted by the University of Exeter for entry in September 2026.
Overview of the Research:
Freshwaters are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, with organisms exposed to a wide range of stressors linked to chemical pollution and climate change. We have recently established that exposure to stressors in aquatic organisms can lead to life-long physiological changes and, in specific cases, enhance resilience to the same stressor. This project aims to investigate this phenomenon and test the hypothesis that stress-priming during critical developmental stages contributes to how organisms adapt to stressful conditions.
The project will focus on the epigenome and investigate how stress priming alters responses to subsequent exposures using a freshwater invertebrate model (Daphnia pulex). We will then determine the mechanisms by which these effects occur using single-cell sequencing and assess whether any beneficial effects are stressor-specific or transferable to other stressors, as well as their persistence across generations.
To deliver these aims we will:
• Document the epigenetic profiles of Daphnia pulex over time to establish epigenomic dynamics at different life stages and identify potential windows of sensitivity to epigenetic disruption.
• Develop an experimental framework to identify long-term alterations in stress tolerance in Daphnia pulex. We will pinpoint windows when exposure to stressors causes the greatest biological effects, and when stress priming leads to pronounced long-term differences in tolerance to subsequent exposures.
• Investigate the epigenetic mechanisms underpinning stress priming memory using single-cell epigenomics.
• Determine the longevity of stress-induced tolerance alterations across generations. • Assess whether changes in stressor sensitivity due to stress priming are stressor-specific, and whether they incur a fitness cost for exposed individuals.
The project will integrate exposure experiments with chemical, physiological, biochemical and epigenomic analyses to understand stress priming and its role in the survival of wild invertebrate populations. This will provide critical insights for the management and sustainability of freshwater species.
Training Provided:
The student will receive extensive training in ecotoxicology, including planning and conducting in vivo experiments, chemical analysis, molecular techniques (library preparation and sequencing), biochemical and physiological techniques, and bioinformatics. They will also receive training and mentorship in transferable skills such as career development, science communication, and publication.
Interdisciplinarity:
This project places interdisciplinarity at its core, integrating ecotoxicology with epigenomics, bioinformatics and environmental chemistry. It brings together experts across these fields to address a key question in environmental science, combining molecular, ecological and computational approaches to understand how organisms respond and adapt to stress in changing freshwater environments.
Project Keywords: Stress priming; Epigenomics; Environmental change; Ecotoxicology; Freshwater
Industrial Partner: Ronny van Aerle, ronny.vanaerle@cefas.gov.uk, Cefas
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject – e.g. Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Zoology, Ecotoxicology, etc. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
*Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement prior to a formal offer being made.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive Centre, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Enquiries and Applications:
Formal applications should be submitted via the Red-ALERT CDT online application form prior to the closing date of this advert.
Funding Notes
Candidates may be considered for a NERC Red-ALERT studentship tenable for 3.5 years. Funding covers tuition fees, a stipend (£20,780 p/a in 2025/6) and access to a training support budget.
