PhD in Microbiology

Lakes are dynamic methane sources where both benthic and pelagic processes shape net emissions. This PhD will examine how methanotrophs integrate methane derived from sediments and plankton. Field surveys in the UKCEH Cumbrian Lakes will capture seasonal shifts in phytoplankton, benthic communities, and methanotrophs, using amplicon sequencing, metatranscriptomics and metagenomics. Lab experiments will clarify how benthic and pelagic carbon pathways intersect through the methane biofilter.