PhD Studentship: Engineering Microbial Fermentation Gene Cassettes to Enhance Seaweed Bioa

Primary supervisor -

Seaweeds are an increasingly popular and widely consumed food source, combining health benefits with environmental sustainability. However, the health benefits of seaweed and seaweed products are limited because the complex sulphated polysaccharides found in seaweeds are not effectively broken down by the human gut microbiome.

We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic doctoral candidate with a background in biochemistry, microbiology or related fields. In this research programme, you will work closely with a leading UK seaweed biotechnology company to identify and characterise seaweed polysaccharide degrading enzymes from the microbiome associated with wild and cultivated seaweeds from around the UK coast. Using biotechnological approaches, you will isolate and characterise these genes, and transform them into heterologous expression systems for use in fermentation platforms for industrial processing of seaweeds.

You will then explore the impact of these processed seaweeds on human gut health, using the advanced lab-based models of the human digestive tract. You will characterise the impact of these seaweeds on the gut microbiome using cutting edge metagenomic and metabolomic methods. The lab-based models will be followed by a clinical trial in human participants with Metabolic Syndrome to further explore the impact of seaweed processing on the human gut microbiome, and on markers of health.

This ambitious studentship will provide an excellent training environment in the Warren group (Quadram Institute) and Curtis group (UEA), within a supportive research team. Training will be provided in a range of techniques including metagenomics, metabolomics, heterologous gene expression, digestion modelling and clinical studies. This will be complemented by the industrial partner, where you will have the opportunity to spend a significant placement and learn about industrial biotechnology methods as well as developing business related skills.

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (MED/SCI equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Full-time

1 October 2026

This project is awarded with a 4-year fully funded MMB PhD iCASE studentship with Central Pharma Biotechnica Limited. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/7 stipend rate: £21,805), an iCASE programme stipend enhancement of £2,500 pa and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 pa for each year of the studentship.