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Title
Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z
Category
graduate
UUID
2256d67441c94e839c9155126797e767
Source URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/evolutionaryanalysis/
Parent URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
Crawl Time
2026-03-11T05:49:21+00:00
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Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/evolutionaryanalysis/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

Postgraduate research

Evolutionary Analysis PhD/MSc (Research)

We address a broad range of fundamental and applied evolutionary problems via the identification and analysis of genetic and phenotypic variability underlying biodiversity at all taxonomic levels, from viruses to vertebrates.

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Research projects

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Evolution of ecological and species diversity in freshwater fishes

Supervisors: Kathryn Elmer, Arne Jacobs, Colin Adams

Project description: Ecological, morphological and evolutionary diversification among sympatric individuals often reflects divergent selective pressures along environmental gradients. In many lineages, these have repeatedly produced a range of specialist phenotypes within populations, despite non-existent or incomplete reproductive isolation.

A renowned example for such adaptive divergence in nature are the radiations and replicate evolution of postglacial fishes. Across many species, populations expanded into new ecological and geographic areas, which opened with warming climate and retreating glaciers. Within-lake divergences in freshwater fishes typically specialise along a lake depth gradient and a concordant suite of environmental selection pressures.

In some lineages these divergences have promoted high rates of sympatric and allopatric speciation and consequently elevated regional organismal biodiversity, such as in trout, whitefish, and charr. Our recent work has shown that the demographic and evolutionary histories of these populations can be highly variable and yet the functional expression and ultimate ecomorphological outcomes significantly parallel.

As a next step, it is vital to dig more deeply into the molecular mechanisms driving these patterns. This project will examine replicate divergences into specialist ecotypes and seek to identify their associated and underlying genetics. Specifically, it will examine parallel evolution of genomic divergence, gene expression levels, and alternative splice variants to query and evaluate topical questions in the parallel/convergent basis of complex phenotypes.

This project will build on existing datasets and with opportunity for new experiments. The ideal candidate will have some familiarity with bioinformatics and a degree in evolutionary biology or related discipline.

References

  1. Elmer KR (2016) Genomic tools for new insights to variation, adaptation, and evolution in the salmonid fishes: a perspective for charr. Hydrobiologia, 783, 191–208.
  2. Jacobs A, Elmer KR (2021) Alternative splicing and gene expression play contrasting roles in the parallel phenotypic evolution of a salmonid fish. Molecular Ecology, 30 (20), 4955–4969, https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15817.
  3. Jacobs A, Carruthers M, Yurchenko A, Gordeeva NV, Alekseyev SS, Hooker O, Leong JS, Minkley DR, Rondeau EB, Koop BF, Adams CE, Elmer KR (2020) Parallelism in eco-morphology and gene expression despite variable evolutionary and genomic backgrounds in a Holarctic fish. PLOS

Overview

Within evolutionary analysis, our specific areas of interest include the basis of adaptation to changing biotic and abiotic environments, the process and underlying mechanisms of speciation, the role of mating systems, host-parasite interactions, and the linkage among ecological and evolutionary processes. Frequently, this work requires the integration of genetic information with other types of data (e.g. phenotypic, geographic, demographic); developing novel bioinformatic tools and approaches to achieve this integration therefore represents another research focus.\  \ Due to evolutionary principles being fundamental to all aspects of biology, our research activities are naturally linked with those of other research themes within the institute and throughout the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, with particular ties to the Glasgow Polyomics Facility, the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE), and the Centre for Virus Research.

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within the institutes. A variety of approaches are used, including ecology, epidemiology, mathematical, computational and statistical modelling, bioinformatics, parasitology, immunology and polyomics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics). Basic and applied science projects are available for study, as are field-based projects with research programs underway in both the UK and overseas.

Specific areas of interest include:

Study options

PhD

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

MSc (Research)

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

Pearsons PTE Academic

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Oxford ELLT

LanguageCert Academic SELT

Password Skills Plus

Trinity College Tests

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Alternatives to English Language qualification

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Fees and funding

Fees

2026/27

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Sanctuary Scholarship

The University of Glasgow Sanctuary Scholarship has been created to support applicants with Refugee or Asylum Seeker status who are currently living in the UK.

Support

Resources

We have excellent facilities for lab, field and farm-based research.  This includes aquaria, aviaries, insectaries and labs for conducting analyses in:

We also have:

Graduate School

The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.\  \ Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:

Our excellent facilities and dedicated staff will equip you with training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects that suit your objectives.

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All postgraduate research students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You must identify a potential supervisor supervisor from the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

Supervisor search

Research projects

If you are interested in a research project listed above, please include the title on your application.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

  1. Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  2. Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  3. Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploadedas part of the application form or you may enter your referees' contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference.
  4. MVLS cover letter must be completed and uploaded with a copy of your CV.

Apply now

Contact us

If you require assistance before you apply: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk

After you have submitted your application: Admissions Enquiries form

Our research environment

Induction

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