How does sensory perception evolve? How do sex differences in nervous systems evolve? Using bulk and single nucleus RNA-seq datasets, along with experimental approaches, our lab has identified extensive gene expression differences in the sensory nervous systems of closely related Drosophila species. Many of these differences also evolve remarkable quick between sexes. We want to identify the regulatory changes that generate these species and sex differences and to understand the behavioural impacts they have. This project will address these questions through the:
Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of the research and the lab, there is a range of opportunities for contributing to the project depending on the student’s particular interests and strengths (i.e. comparative genomics, neurobiology, generation of transgenic tools for new species). Throughout the project, the student will be encouraged to develop their own ideas and hypotheses.
During your PhD project you will work in an international setting and with an international team. You will be trained in state-of-the-art comparative genomics approaches (e.g., single-cell multiomics), expression analyses (e.g., single molecule FISH), molecular biology techniques (e.g., CRISPR). You will also develop expertise in computational and statistical analyses. Our group emphasises training on effective communication and presentation skills and you will be encouraged to develop international collaborations and networking, including attendance to national and international meetings.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as biology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, molecular biology.
Knowledge of comparative genomics and molecular biology techniques (such as cloning and CRISPR) would be highly advantageous but are not required.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2025. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 29th January 2025 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Roman Arguello AT r.arguello@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
Apply Online