The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.A successful candidate will be based with Dr Duffy at the Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) in Whitechaple, a new and very active centre of research into simulation based science, data modelling and machine learning. The student will have access to significant training in computational physics, data modelling and analysis, and high-level code development. Additionally, they will have access to the Apocrita (CPU-based) and Andrena (GPU-based) supercomputing clusters.
In exoplanet surveys one of the key potential biosignatures is the ‘vegetation red edge’, an enhanced reflectance at wavelengths >700nm, which on Earth signifies oxygenic photosynthesis. Unfortunately, most known exoplanets orbit small, very red stars, prone to UV flaring. Yet, Earth’s anoxygenic photoautotrophs exploit dim, near-infrared light (800-1000nm) and our biosphere is full of UV screening and repair mechanisms. Should we then search for signatures of strange UV-hardened, anoxygenic biospheres? This project will be supervised by theoretical biophysicist Chris Duffy (CD, SBBS), co-supervised by astrophysicist Thomas Howarth (TH, SPCS) and in collaboration with bacterial photosynthesis expert Conrad Mullineaux (CM , SBBS), astrophysicist Edward Gillen (EG, SPCS) and video game AI expert Diego Perez Liebana (DPL, DERI).
Objective 1 (with CM): Develop a generalized systems model of terrestrial photosynthesis, in which subsystems such as light-harvesting, photochemistry, repair, etc. form a metabolic network, with particular focus on how competing metabolic costs and the spectrum of available light define the optical properties of the antenna. This will be validated against known plants, algae, and bacteria.
Objective 2 (with EG): Apply the model to stellar and atmospheric models of exo-planets (e.g. Trappist I) to determine whether a self-sustaining system is feasible and what its optical properties would be.
Objective 3 (with DLP): While systems models predict average properties, the evolution of complex systems is chaotic. Hence, with the video game AI group at DERI, we will gamify the model to simulate millions of hypothetical organisms growing, competing, and evolving. This allows us to sample unlikely, yet potentially highly successful, solutions to the thriving under an alien sun. The outcome will be a framework for understanding photosynthesis, its relationship to light and its potential limits. By exploring novel forms of photosynthesis, we can contribute to the search for extra-solar life by proposing new target bio-signatures.
This studentship is open to students applying for CONACyT funding. CONACyT will provide a contribution towards your tuition fees each year and Queen Mary will waive the remaining fee. CONACyT will pay a stipend towards living costs to its scholars. Further information can be found here: https://conacyt.mx/convocatorias/convocatorias-becas-al-extranjero/
Please refer to the CONACyT website here: https://conacyt.mx/convocatorias/convocatorias-becas-al-extranjero/ for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree in Physics, Mathematics, Chemisty, or Biology. An MSci will be view favourable but is not essential.
The candidate should have string interest in computational and theoretical science with some experience in coding and mathematical modelling.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Christopher D. P. Duffy at c.duffy@qmul.ac.uk.
Applicants will need to complete an online application form to be considered, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the project supervisor. Those who are successful in their application for our PhD programme will be issued with an offer letter which is conditional on securing a CONACyT scholarship (as well as any academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements).
Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CONACyT for the scholarship as per their requirements and deadlines, with the support of the project supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CONACyT can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme.
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