Information on the lab

The Gifford lab offers a highly supportive environment for researchers with opportunities to develop both scientific outcomes and transferrable skills. PhD students will gain experience of designing and carrying out scientific experiments and will be trained on how to present and discuss their research; Postdocs will gain independence and be supported to pursue their own ideas too. All will get opportunities to present their work at scientific conferences and publish their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. There are several options for fully funded PhD positions at Warwick, including some for international researchers.

Who should apply

We encourage interest from prospective PhD students or postdocs from all backgrounds who are highly driven with a curiosity for research related to aspects of plant development and plant-microbe interactions. Researchers will be expected to operate independently at times and so should be motivated with an aptitude for problem solving but also comfortable asking for help when needed. Ideal candidates are highly collaborative and able to share their knowledge and skills with others, both within and outside of the group. You should also be willing to engage with the research of other group members and to participate in academic activities beyond laboratory work.

Guidlelines for inquiries

Send an email to Prof. Gifford briefly stating your career so far and research interests (a few sentences is fine) and why you are interested in a PhD or postdoc project in the Gifford Lab. Please also attached a 2 page (max.) CV. If you follow these guidelines Prof. Gifford will do her best to alert you to relevant opportunities.

Example of a PhD inquiry

^{Dear Professor Gifford,}

^{I have just started the final year of my degree (currently on course for a 2:1) studying Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol. I have a very strong interest in legume-rhizobia symbiosis and in particular the mechanisms that determine which the combinations of leguminous and rhiozbial species that are able to enter symbiosis together, based on my ‘Microbe Interactions’ module in year 3. I was wondering if there would be any opportunities in your laboratory to do a PhD where I could pursue this interest?}

^{Yours faithfully, Xue Doe}

Postdoctoral fellowships

If you are eligible to apply for your own funding (e.g. EMBO, Marie Curie, L'Oréal-UNESCO, BBSRC Discovery Fellowship)

Please contact to find out how we can support your application, following the guidelines above.

PhD ideas

Gifford lab projects are available in several PhD 2024 programmes although these are all closed for 2024. Check back in Autumn 2025!

MIBTPLink opens in a new window

NERCLink opens in a new window

and also projects for:

Warwick Chancellor's Scholarship Commonwealth Scholarship

Please contact following the guidelines above.

MSc options

Warwick runs a number of exciting MSc degreesLink opens in a new window with an opportuntity to apply for PhD funding thereafter. As part of these there are taught modules and the opportunity to carry out a lab research project and we offer these in the Gifford lab.

We also support MRes students to carry out their research in the group.

Please contact following the guidelines above.