Fungal sex factors as novel antifungal compounds for control of plant disease

Main supervisor: Dr David Withall 

Fungal diseases are estimated to be responsible for the loss of up to 30% of annual global crop yields and pose a significant threat to global food security.  This threat is being aggravated by the evolution of resistance to common fungicides and novel alternatives are urgently required.  This PhD project will focus on the phytopathogen Pyrenopeziza brassicae, the causal agent of light leaf spot, a disease effecting oilseed rape and vegetable brassica crops globally.  The project will isolate, identify and evaluate signalling molecules involved in the fungal life cycle that inhibit asexual reproduction and sporulation as novel crop protection tools.  This multidisciplinary project will be hosted by both University of Nottingham and Rothamsted Research and will provide the successful candidate with training in chemical biology, synthetic organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, microbiology and molecular genetics.

To apply: please email Dr David Withall with your CV and a covering letter.

Closing date: 31 December 2020