We are always interested in hearing from enthusiastic researchers and students who want to work on plant cell wall biology, stress responses, and plant-pathogen interactions. While funded opportunities vary over time, the lab welcomes speculative enquiries and collaborative ideas.

PhD Opportunities

I am always keen to speak to PhD students who have secured external funding (e.g. scholarships or self-funding), and advertise funded positions when available. If you're interested in pursuing a PhD in cell wall biology, stress signalling, or host-pathogen interactions, please get in touch to discuss options.

Current Opportunities

• Funded PhD opportunity: BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience DLA Programme: Primed for Protection: Cell Wall Modifications in Plant Defence and Long-Term Immunity. 

This project investigates the plant cell wall (CW) as a key regulator of defense and a source of "immune memory". Plants can "prime" their immune system for stronger, faster responses to future pathogen attacks. You will explore how CW-derived molecules (DAMPs) signal this long-lasting immunity. A core focus will be identifying how changes in pectin composition within the CW enhance the plant's ability to mount a strong primed immune response.

You will use state-of-the-art techniques including glycome profiling, HPLC, and plant pathology bioassays. This translational research has direct applications in developing new crop protection strategies and identifying novel breeding targets for enhanced plant immunity. This is ideal for students interested in molecular plant biology and agricultural innovation.

For more information and how to apply, please see the full advert here:  👉 FindAPhD Project Listing

• Self-Funded PhD Opportunities in Plant Growth, Stress and Cell Wall Biology

We welcome expressions of interest from students with independent funding who are excited about pursuing a PhD in plant development, stress responses, and cell wall biology. Projects in the lab span from cell wall remodelling during growth and drought response to the role of walls in immunity and pathogen resistance (e.g. Zymoseptoria tritici). PhD students will benefit from co-supervision and interdisciplinary training alongside collaborators in the Fleming and Smith labs, with access to world-class facilities at the University of Sheffield. Opportunities exist to work with both model and crop species.

For more information and how to apply, please see the full advert here:  👉 FindAPhD Project Listing

If you're interested in applying with your own funding or exploring scholarship options, feel free to get in touch.

Fellowships and Hosted Researchers

I would be delighted to host independent fellows and early career researchers, including applicants for Marie Skłodowska-Curie, EMBO, Newton International Fellowships, or national schemes. If you’re considering applying for a fellowship and think our lab could be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you.