Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields

Supervisors:

Dr Bertram Daum, University of Exeter

Dr Peter Petrov, University of Exeter

About the PhD studentship:

The University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence as soon as possible. The student will be based in the Living Systems Institute at the Streatham Campus.

The lab of Bertram Daum employs state-of-the art cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) to investigate a variety of aspects of microbial life at near-atomic resolution. In an EU-funded interdisciplinary project, the lab investigates the structure and function of archaeal surface protein layers and adhesive filaments. The ultimate aim is to employ these self-polymerising proteins in the design of a revolutionary type of drug delivery vehicle called Biohybrid Microrobot.

The student will work in the vibrant and exciting cross-disciplinary research environment at the Living Systems Institute, a brand new research facility housing international biologists, physicists, medical scientists and mathematicians. Throughout the project, the student will acquire expertise in state-of-the-art research technology, including single-particle cryoEM and tomography, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution fluorescent optical microscopy, atomic force spectroscopy, biochemistry and molecular biology.
The “Microrobots” project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 80389).

• CV

• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.

Entry requirements:

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science.

About the studentship:

The candidate should be a highly motivated individual with background in molecular biology, biochemistry or biophysics and a desire to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

The studentship will cover UK/EU/International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £14,777 for 4 years full-time. The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 4 years of full-time study to commence as soon as possible.

How to apply:

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents