Harnessing antagonistic fungi to disrupt insect gut microbiota for sustainable pest management

Overview

This PhD project investigates how root-inhabiting fungi and their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can suppress herbivorous insect pest impacts. In New Zealand, below-ground pests such as the pasture pest grass grub (Costelytra givenii, tūtae ruru) and above-ground pests like the invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) cause major losses in pasture and cropping systems. Despite their contrasting feeding modes and evolutionary backgrounds, both species rely on symbiotic gut microbes for digestion of plant tissues, growth, and development. Targeting their gut microbiota using fungal antagonists offers a novel and sustainable pest management approach. 

The candidate will evaluate selected antagonistic fungi and their VOCs for their ability to disrupt gut microbiota in the two model pests directly via ingestion and indirectly by altering plant metabolite profiles. In laboratory, glasshouse, and field bioassays they will analyse fungal VOC composition and test the treatment effects on the pest gut microbiome, plant metabolome, and larval development, survival, and feeding damage. Using pests with contrasting feeding modes and evolutionary histories, we aim to reveal common mechanisms of microbiota-based pest suppression.

Applicants should have experience or interest in molecular or microbial ecology, chemical ecology, or plant–insect–microbe interactions, and a motivation to develop microbiome-informed approaches for sustainable pest management.

Value

The scholarship includes an annual tax-free stipend of $32,650 p.a. (paid in fortnightly instalments) plus tuition fees, for three years.

Closing date

31 January 2026

Selection criteria

The student must meet the entry requirements for a doctoral programme at Lincoln University without any bridging programmes required.

Availability

The student must be domiciled in the Canterbury region for the duration of their PhD. 

The scholarship will begin on July 1, 2026, but the selection process will be completed in February 2026.

Further information and how to apply

This is a Food Transitions 2050 scholarship. The Food Transitions 2050 website has further information about how to apply:

Available PhD Positions — Food Transitions 2050 website

For further information about the Joint Postgraduate School Food Transitions 2050 initiative, please see:

Joint Postgraduate School: Food Transitions 2050

For overseas applicants

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand. 

Note that PhD degrees in NZ are research-only degrees usually lasting three years (i.e. there is no course-work component).