Applications are invited for a fully funded 1-year Masters by Research (MRes) project in our lab, investigating the mechanisms underpinning hail damage resistance in crop plants. In times of changing climate, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent. Hail storms can cause considerable damage to crops and horticultural plants, but not all plants are equally affected. Identifying and understanding the adaptations that enable some plants to survive hail impacts relatively unscathed will be key to breeding crops that are fit for the future. This project aims to 1) characterize and quantify leaf damage from simulated hail impacts in a range of crop plants, and 2) identify leaf traits and impact responses that confer an increased damage resistance. Or, in lay terms, you’ll be using our brand-new custom-built hail simulator to shoot fake hailstones at plants – what’s not to like?

Have a look on the BCAI website for full project and application details, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have about the project, the application process, working in our lab, or living and studying in Bristol! Deadline for applications is the 31st January 2022 for a start in October.