Virome Dynamics and Viral Discovery in Rehabilitated Bats Revealed by Longitudinal Metagenomics

Project code: GIOTIS_ESSEX_ARIES27

Virome Dynamics and Viral Discovery in Rehabilitated Bats Revealed by Longitudinal Metagenomics

Project code: GIOTIS_ESSEX_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Efstathios Giotis, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex – contact me

Dr Andrea Telatin, Quadram Institute Bioscience

Mr Colin Townsley, West Yorkshire Bat Group

Professor Thomas Cameron, University of Essex

 

Scientific Background

Bats play important ecological roles in insect control and ecosystem functioning, yet many enter wildlife rehabilitation following injury, starvation or environmental disturbance. Rehabilitation provides a unique opportunity to investigate how viral communities respond to changes in diet, environment and physiological condition. Our recent shotgun metagenomic study of wild and rehabilitated insectivorous bats revealed extensive viral diversity, including thousands of viral operational taxonomic units and potentially novel viruses. However, because these data were cross-sectional, we do not know how the virome of individual bats changes during rehabilitation.

 

Research Methodology

This project will provide a longitudinal view of virome dynamics during bat rehabilitation. Working with the West Yorkshire Bat Group, the PGR will collect non-invasive faecal samples from individual bats at admission, during rehabilitation and before release. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing will characterise viral diversity and enable viral genome discovery and reconstruction. Bioinformatic and ecological analyses will investigate how viral communities change through time and their relationships with host species, diet, rehabilitation duration, physiological condition and the gut microbiome.

 

Training

The PGR will receive interdisciplinary training in wildlife ecology, molecular methods, shotgun metagenomics, viral genomics, bioinformatics and quantitative analysis. Specialist computational and sequencing training will be provided through the Quadram Institute, while the West Yorkshire Bat Group will provide experience in wildlife rehabilitation, sampling and conservation practice. Training will also include reproducible computational research, data management and scientific communication.

 

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual interested in viruses, genomics, ecology and wildlife conservation. Applicants from biological, ecological or computational backgrounds are encouraged. Previous molecular or computational experience is desirable but not essential, as project-specific training will be provided.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Biology; Ecology; Microbiology; Genetics; Bioinformatics; Zoology

References

  • Luo D, Ponsero AJ, Wright K, Baker DJ, Telatin A, Townsley C, Giotis ES. Microbiome stability in wild and rehabilitated insectivorous bats revealed by shotgun metagenomics. Microorganisms. 2026;14(7):1403. doi:10.3390/microorganisms14071403.
  • Weinberg M, King R, Lapid R, Yakobson B, Eyngor M, Luo D, Giotis ES. Minimal risk of Rabies lyssavirus spillover from bats in Israel: findings from long-term surveillance. Front Microbiol. 2025;16:1707522. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1707522.
  • Pallen MJ, Ponsero AJ, Telatin A, Moss CJ, Baker D, Heavens D, Davidson GL. Faecal metagenomes of great tits and blue tits provide insights into host, diet, pathogens and microbial biodiversity. Access Microbiol. 2025;7(4):000910.v3. doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000910.v3.
  • Wang Y, Xu P, Han Y, Zhao W, Zhao L, Li R, Zhang J, Zhang S, Lu J, Daszak P, Jin Q, Wu Z. Unveiling bat-borne viruses: a comprehensive classification and analysis of virome evolution. Microbiome. 2024;12:235. doi:10.1186/s40168-024-01955-1.
  • Jones DN, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Yeoman CJ, Plowright RK, Brook CE. Do gastrointestinal microbiomes play a role in bats' unique viral hosting capacity? Trends Microbiol. 2022;30(7):632–642. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2021.12.009.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Please send a CV and Cover Letter to ariesapp@essex.ac.uk, including the title and project code of the studentship you wish to apply for.