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Engineering Heritable Epigenetic States in an Invertebrate model

  • Primary Supervisor: Dr Alex de Mendoza
  • Co-supervisor(s):  
  • Studentship Funding: Awaiting CSC Funding Decision
  • Application Deadline: 28th January 2026
  • PhD Programme: PhD Biological Sciences


Project Overview 

Epigenetics adds another layer of information on top of DNA, controlling how genes are read without changing the genetic sequence itself. One of the best-studied epigenetic marks is cytosine DNA methylation, which can influence development and gene activity. In most vertebrates, DNA methylation is reset between generations, but our recent research shows that in some invertebrates this information can be passed from parents to offspring.

In this project, the student will investigate how epigenetic information is inherited and how it shapes phenotypes using the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis; a powerful model for studying early animal evolution and invertebrate DNA methylation, since classic systems like Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans have lost this mark.

By combining (epi)genome editing (Cas9 and dCas9-based tools), epigenomic profiling, and bioinformatic analysis, the student will engineer changes in DNA methylation and track their effects on gene expression and inheritance across generations. This research will help us understand the evolution of epigenetic inheritance and test whether natural selection can act directly on epigenetic variation, opening exciting new directions at the interface of evolution and genome engineering.

Research Environment

The laboratory of Alex de Mendoza works on the evolution of gene regulatory mechanisms, with a special interest on base modifications and transposable elements. The group has an expertise in comparative analysis of epigenetic profiles across distant eukaryotes, working on "non-traditional" model systems. The group uses a combination of cutting-edge functional genomics and bioinformatics to answer deep questions in genome evolution. You can find more information about the group here: https://www.demendozalab.com/.

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary University of London is recognised as one of the UK’s premier research centres, offering a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and access to cutting-edge research facilities.

Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.

Keywords: Epigenetics, Epigenome engineering, Inheritance, EvoDevo, Evolution.

Funding & Eligibility

Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary.  Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.

Applicants must:

  • Be applying for CSC funding.
  • Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China and hold a Chinese passport.
  • Satisfy all eligibility criteria set out by the CSC and must refer to the CSC website for full details.
  • Apply to QMUL by 28th January 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
  • Submit ALL required documentation, including evidence of their English Language ability ahead of the CSC application deadline.

CSC application rules differ slightly for domestic applicants (students applying from China) and overseas applicants (students applying from overseas). Therefore, ALL applicants are advised to see the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship. 

Entry Requirements

We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Developmental Biology.  

Knowledge of functional genomics (e.g. CRISPR, microinjection, epigenomics) would be highly advantageous but are not required. Experience working with aquatic model systems would also be beneficial.

You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2026. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.

Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.

How to Apply

Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 28th January 2026 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

  • Your CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Evidence of English Language e.g.) IELTS Certificate
  • Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • References 

Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.

Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Alex de Mendoza

Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.

Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.

For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.

Apply online


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