This 3.5-year PhD, supported through the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA3), will investigate how changing weather controls whether fungi remain attached to terrestrial surfaces, recover after disturbance or redistribute to new locations. You will combine fungal experiments with controlled rainfall, airflow, simulated sunlight and drying-rewetting, together with dynamic modelling, to understand how successive weather events shape fungal persistence and dispersal. The studentship provides a tax-free stipend and Home-rate tuition fees for 3.5 years.
Fungi colonise surfaces across terrestrial environments and play important roles in decomposition and carbon cycling. These networks are repeatedly exposed to rainfall, wind, sunlight and changes in moisture. Such events can detach fungal material, affect its survival and alter its ability to resume growth. However, we still have limited understanding of how successive weather events interact to determine whether established fungal networks persist, progressively decline, recover after disturbance or redistribute to new locations.
You will use a model filamentous fungus to investigate these processes under controlled environmental conditions. Wild-type and defined mutant strains will be compared on model surfaces with controlled roughness and wettability to determine how fungal attachment mechanisms and material surface properties influence retention, regrowth and release. Experiments will vary the order, spacing, intensity and combination of rainfall, airflow, simulated sunlight and drying-rewetting. Material transported by air and rainwater will be collected to determine whether spores, fungal fragments and colonised particles remain viable and can establish on new surfaces. Selected findings will then be tested on natural substrates.
The project will be based at Cranfield University and bring together expertise in fungal biomaterials, material interfaces, environmental testing and modelling. Fungal cultivation, attachment and surface characterisation will be carried out within the Magan Centre of Applied Mycology, while controlled weather experiments will use Ocean Systems Test Laboratory. The project also brings together modelling expertise from City St George’s, University of London, and fungal biology expertise from Utrecht University. As part of CENTA3, you will join a wider doctoral training programme in environmental science supported by NERC.
Experimental results will be used to identify how fungal characteristics, network organisation and substrate properties influence responses to repeated environmental disturbance. The data will inform a dynamic model linking weather exposure with fungal retention, recovery, release and establishment. The research will provide new mechanistic understanding of how repeated and variable weather shapes fungal colonisation and redistribution across terrestrial surfaces.
This interdisciplinary PhD combines fungal biology, materials and surface characterisation, controlled environmental experiments and predictive modelling. You will work across specialist fungal laboratories and environmental testing facilities, and interact with researchers across biological, environmental and engineering disciplines. Through CENTA3, you will also have access to cohort-based training, conferences, placements and wider professional-development opportunities.
You will develop practical skills in fungal cultivation, sterile techniques, microscopy, image analysis, surface characterisation and controlled environmental experiments. You will also gain experience in experimental design, quantitative data analysis and dynamic modelling, alongside research planning, data management, scientific writing and presentation. These skills will support careers across environmental research, biotechnology, materials research and interdisciplinary research careers.
At a glance
- Application deadline06 Jan 2027
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date27 Oct 2027
- Duration of award3.5 yeasr (full-time) - 6 years (part-time)
- EligibilityUK, Rest of world
- Reference numberCRAN-0115
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit graduates from a range of backgrounds including biological sciences, microbiology, environmental science, ecology, materials science, mechanical engineering or related disciplines. An interest in experimental research and quantitative data analysis would be beneficial. Previous experience with fungi, environmental testing or modelling is not essential, as project-specific training will be provided.
Funding
Sponsored by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Cranfield University through the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA3), this studentship will provide a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (of up to £ 21,805) plus Home-rate tuition fees for 3.5 years.
This studentship is open to both Home and international applicants. However, the studentship only covers tuition fees at the Home fee rate. International applicants are therefore responsible for covering the difference between the Home and international tuition fee rates from another source, for example through self-funding or other external funding. No international fee waiver is available for this studentship.
International applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisors before applying if they have any questions about the funding arrangements.
Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
Sharing data
UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used to report on individuals or specific universities. The data will be used to analyse general trends in student populations across UKRI's portfolio.
Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield
At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.
We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum.
Our Student Wellbeing and Disability support team provide a range of support and coordinate reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental and physical health conditions. Please contact studentsupport@cranfield.ac.uk for support queries, the information you provide will be confidential.
Cranfield Doctoral Network
Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This Network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge.
Doctoral Researchers’ Core Development (DRCD) Programme
An important part of the research journey is developing key skills that will benefit a research students research and professional development. As a research student at Cranfield, you will be expected to attend the DRCD programme which comprises of four 1 week units which cover the key stages of your research journey. Workshops are held face to face, providing the opportunity for you to network and collaborate with your peers during these valuable development sessions. For further details visit Cranfield's Doctoral Network.
How to apply
For further information please contact:
Name: Dr Wenjing Sun
Email: Wenjing.sun@cranfield.ac.uk
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
Applicants must complete and upload the CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 as part of their application to Cranfield University.
The CENTA form is mandatory and must be submitted in addition to your CV and the standard Cranfield application requirements. Applications submitted without a completed CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 will not be considered for the CENTA studentship.
Note, your application will not be considered unless all relevant documents have been uploaded. For more information please visit Applying for a research degree.
