This project aims to uncover molecular adaptations that underpin anti-viral immunity in bats. Bats appear to act as natural host reservoirs of viruses, and have been implicated as the likely source of recent virus outbreaks, including SARS, MERS, and SARS CoV2. Despite this, the genetic basis of viral tolerance in bats, and the diversity of immune specialisations across bats, is not known. In particular, we do not know whether the consistent involvement of some bats lineages arises due to the presence of particular adaptations, or whether instead this is due to sampling bias. For this project, the student will perform sequencing and analysis of immune genes and pathways across a broad diversity of bats. Unique changes will be related to known information on viral load, ecology and range.
The Rossiter group has a strong international track record of research on the molecular ecology and evolution of bats and other mammals.
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 the equivalent of a first or upper-second class honours degree, and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project (e.g. genomics, bioinformatics, phylogenetics). Knowledge of coding and/or quantitative skills will be an advantage.
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 Prof Stephen Rossiter at s.j.rossiter@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