爱丁堡大学PhD Position in Conservation genetics for a changing planet: Genomes and the Genetic Scorecard申请条件要求-申请方
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爱丁堡大学
PhD直招介绍
About the Project
Genetic diversity is fundamental for species to survive and adapt in the face of environmental change, and it is now embedded within international biodiversity policy through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF, Goal A, Target 4). As part of this, countries must assess and report genetic status across diverse taxa, often with limited empirical data.
The Genetic Scorecard for Wild Species is a globally recognised GBF genetic diversity indicator developed by the project team and formally accepted as the UK statutory reporting method. It provides a practical framework for addressing this challenge by using structured expert review to assign selected species to a genetic-risk category. Its independence from genetic data is a strength that makes it scalable across taxa and countries, regardless of resource capacity, and it is now being positioned as a globally applicable indicator.
With the growing availability of genomic datasets across a wide range of species, a natural next step is to establish how such data can calibrate and extend these assessments. Using a combination of empirical genomic data and forward-time whole-genome simulations, this project aims to establish the data requirements and time frames needed to detect meaningful genetic change. The results will be used to explore how genomic evidence can strengthen genetic risk assessments and support robust monitoring and reporting under the GBF. Case studies may be drawn from across plants, fungi, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, allowing the student to develop expertise in systems of interest to them.
The project brings together conservation genetics and genomics expertise from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with NatureScot as a CASE partner. The partners provide an interdisciplinary environment spanning genomic analysis, genetic risk assessment and policy implementation, providing the successful candidate with an opportunity to combine fundamental biodiversity genomics research with its direct application to current conservation challenges.
Research Questions
What can genomic data tell us about how patterns of biological diversity are changing across a broad range of marine and terrestrial indicator species?
How can population genomic data be used to ground truth proxies for measuring genetic diversity over time and space?
How can the Genetic Scorecard for Wild Species be effectively operationalised as an international reporting tool under the Convention on Biological Diversity?
Methodology
Year 1: Collate empirical genomic datasets across a broad range of taxa and life histories and estimate genomic metrics (genetic diversity, inbreeding and Ne) across time/space to compare with scorecard categories. This may include some novel data production (genome re-sequencing) where necessary.
Year 2: Use forward time simulations (SLiM) to model genetic change under population decline, parametrised from empirical data. Test for effects of variables such as sample size, sampling interval, species life history relevant for the detection of change over relevant time scales.
Year 3: Synthesise and apply data within the Genetic Scorecard framework and generate recommendations for national and international implementation of biodiversity monitoring approaches.
Training
A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. Doctoral training will include population genomic data production and analysis, computer simulations for modelling genetic diversity, applications of wildlife genetics to policy tools, and science communication within and beyond the academic community.
Research Group
The successful candidate will join the Conservation Science( https://vet.ed.ac.uk/research/divisions/division-of-conservation-science ) research group, within the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, at the University of Edinburgh. Our group consists of wildlife vets and conservation geneticists who conduct research to support species conservation management and deliver evidence-based tools for informing biodiversity policy. The project is co-supervised from the Biodiversity Genomics( https://www.rbge.org.uk/science-and-conservation/biodiversity-genomics-and-analytics/ ) team within the science department of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), an independent research institute and the lead coordinator of the Genetic Scorecard for Wild Species. The PhD is also CASE sponsored by NatureScot( https://www.nature.scot/ ), Scotland’s nature agency responsible for biodiversity. This combination of University of Edinburgh and RBGE supervision, working in a well-established collaboration with Nature Scot, ensures that the student will benefit from a broad range of research expertise and a clear pathway to applied conservation impact. As a student in the group you will work alongside colleagues in a supportive, immersive, diverse and friendly learning space, surrounded by your peers and with regular access to supervision and expert advice.
References
The Genetic Scorecard for Wild Species. https://www.nature.scot/information-hub/indicators-trends/genetic-scorecard-indicator
O'Brien et al (2022) Bringing together approaches to reporting on within species genetic diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology
爱丁堡大学 PhD Position in Conservation genetics for a changing planet: Genomes and the Genetic Scorecard项目有没有奖学金，是不是全奖Phd招生，下面我们一起看一下【大学名称】Phd的奖学金资助情况
项目资助情况
Case Studentship
This is a CASE project which benefits from the association of an external non-academic partner to provide additional expertise, access to data, labs and facilities (in some cases), and a placement. CASE studentships are a great opportunity to apply research in real-world settings (e.g. industry, businesses, charities) and to open up to non-academic careers. The CASE partner for this project is NatureScot.
Funding Notes
This project is being advertised as part of The Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Engagement (E5) Doctoral Training Partnership( https://e4-dtp.ed.ac.uk/ ), at the University of Edinburgh, which offers fully funded PhD opportunities across a wide range of environmental research. A minimum of 18 fully funded studentships are available for September 2027 entry, offering tuition fees, a 48 month UKRI-rate stipend and a three month professional internship placement.
爱丁堡大学Phd申请条件和要求都有哪些？PhD Position in Conservation genetics for a changing planet: Genomes and the Genetic Scorecard项目是不是全奖？有没有奖学金？下面我们一起看一下爱丁堡大学申请Phd直招需要具备哪些条件和要求，以及托福、雅思语言成绩要到多少才能申请。
申请要求
Requirements
The successful candidate will have a good quality Bachelors degree in biological sciences or a related subject and preferably a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project. Experience of wildlife genetics, conservation genetics, biological modelling and an interest in their applications to biodiversity policy would be desirable.
报名方式
招生人信息
Dr R Ogden, Prof PH Hollingsworth, Dr E Humble
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