Join us

I am always interested in hearing from motivated researchers who share our interests in the evolution of photosynthesis, molecular evolution, cyanobacterial biology and synthetic biology of photosynthetic systems. However, joining the lab will usually require securing an appropriate source of funding.

Before contacting me, please take some time to explore the funding options relevant to your career stage and eligibility. In all cases, please send me your CV and a short letter explaining your research interests, how they align with the work of the Molecular Evolution Lab, and why you would like to join us.

Undergraduate summer projects

I am happy to consider undergraduate students for short summer research projects, but a bursary or studentship is normally required to support the placement.

Before contacting me, please investigate which summer studentship schemes you are eligible for and become familiar with their application process and deadlines. Relevant schemes include:

The Genetics Society Summer Studentships

Biochemical Society Summer Vacation Studentships

Microbiology Society Vacation Studentships

Applied Microbiology International Summer Studentship Grants

British Phycological Society Summer Undergraduate Internships

Eligibility varies between schemes and, in some cases, the application must be made with or through the project supervisor. Please identify the most appropriate funding route before getting in touch.

PhD students

Joining the lab as a PhD student will normally require securing a funded PhD studentship. The main UK doctoral training programmes relevant to our research include the BBSRC London Interdisciplinary Biosciences Consortium – LIDo and the NERC TREES Doctoral Landscape Award.

International applicants are eligible for UKRI-funded doctoral programmes, but the number of studentships available to international students is limited and competition is particularly intense. I am willing to support strong candidates in developing a studentship application when there is a clear fit with the research of the lab.

International applicants should also investigate PhD scholarships and fellowships available from funding agencies in their home country. Queen Mary works with a number of international scholarship providers; see the Queen Mary scholarship database and international PhD funding information.

Current funded opportunities at Queen Mary and within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences can be found on the SBBS Postgraduate Research Studentships page and the SBBS PhD Projects page.

Postdoctoral researchers

When funded postdoctoral positions are available, they will be advertised through the appropriate channels like jobs.ac.uk. I am also happy to support strong researchers who wish to apply for an individual postdoctoral fellowship to join the lab.

Relevant schemes include Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships, EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships, Newton International Fellowships and 1851 Research Fellowships.

Interested applicants should identify the fellowship scheme they intend to apply for, check their eligibility and be familiar with the relevant deadlines and mobility requirements before contacting me. Your proposed research should have a clear intellectual connection with the work of the lab while bringing new ideas, expertise or approaches.

Independent and early-career research fellows

The Molecular Evolution Lab and QMUL's School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) can provide an excellent environment for researchers seeking to establish an independent research programme in an area complementary to our work. Please have a look at this for some relevant guidance: externally funded Independent Research Fellowships.

I am willing to support and sponsor strong fellowship applicants, and to act as a liaison with the School and relevant research centres at QMUL, where the proposed research is a good strategic and scientific fit.

Relevant first-independent and early-career schemes include the Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships, Royal Society University Research Fellowship, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, NERC Independent Research Fellowship, UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships and ERC Starting Grants.

Please contact me well in advance of the funder's deadline with your CV and a short letter outlining your research vision and the fellowship scheme you are considering.