Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology

Research opportunities

 

Amber

A consortium including LISCB has been awarded major funding from the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme for a project entitled Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures (AMBER).Amber logo, frog on orange background

AMBER funds a five-year postdoctoral programme for 47 postdoctoral researchers to address key needs for biological imaging of fundamental importance to human health.

The consortium has six core partners:

  • Lund University/MAX IV
  • European Spallation Source, Sweden
  • The European Molecular Biology Laboratory
  • Institut Laue-Langevin, France
  • The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines, Poland
  • Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom

PhD opportunities

External funding for PhD positions is available through the schemes below. Students who are interested in doing doctoral research at the Institute are encouraged to apply to these and get in touch with Dr Tennie Videler ([email protected]) beforehand. We can support you to put in the strongest possible application as these are very competitive.

BBSRC MIBTP

MIBTP is a BBSRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) between the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, Aston University and Harper Adams University with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity (4 years). Deadline for applications is the 23 November 2026. Please get in touch with the prospective supervisor for support to submit the best application possible.

Project title Primary supervisor
Metals at the Limits of Life: Metalloproteins and their Role in Tardigrade Survival in Extreme Environments Dr Philip Ash
The Role of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase in B-Cell Development and Health: From Molecular Pathways to Therapeutic Opportunities Dr Robert Britton
Using cryo-EM to reveal the molecular architecture of DNA repair machinery in plants Dr Amanda Chaplin
Structure and dynamics of the intrinsically disordered regions of the RNA binding protein Sam68: implication for RNA binding and phosphorylation Professor Cyril Dominguez
Pin-ing it down: Understanding the Enigmatic Role of Pin1 in Health and Disease Dr Richard Doveston
Mechanistic Insights into Haem Sensing by the Circadian Clock Professor Andrew Hudson
Engineering Nature’s Peptide Chemistry: Structure, Mechanism and Biocatalysis of LenY Dr Hanna Kwon
Unravelling the Architecture of Cellular "Antenna": Molecular Mechanisms of Ciliogenesis Dr Robert Mahen
Genome control by cohesin ligands Professor Daniel Panne
Does transcription speed decide if a gene gets silenced? Structural biology meets functional genomics Professor Thomas Schalch
Advancing our understanding of the EGFR-KRas-mediated activation of small G proteins RalA/B Dr Kayoko Tanaka
Molecular Dissection of the Secretion Nanomachines Driving the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Staphylococcus aureus Dr Abhinav K Vadakkepat
New generation metallo-antimicrobials Dr Rama Suntharalingam
Mapping the dark genome in early embryonic development: Mechanisms establishing and maintaining epigenetic stability Dr Yolanda Markaki
Deep learning of nascent transcription dynamics to predict mature mRNA production Dr Michael Tellier
Decoding How Therapeutic Antibodies Remodel Lymphocyte Membranes: A Biophysical Approach to Immune Cell Function Professor Martin Dyer
Protein kinase G activation by transmembrane signalling Dr Helen O'Hare
Can the circadian clock confer spatiotemporal control on the cellular distribution of haem? Professor Andrew Hudson
Structural and functional characterisation of the molecular architecture and entry mechanisms of Yellow head virus using cry-EM Dr Abhinav K Vadakkepat

MRC Advanced Inter-disciplinary Models (AIM)

AIM is a 3.5 year Doctoral Training Programme funded by the MRC between the Universities of Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leicester. Doctoral students benefit from a diverse range of skills within the cohort, stimulating students to think ‘outside the box’ and perform innovative, world-leading research. The partner universities contribute project ideas, which prospective doctoral students choose from. Recruitment is now closed.

Doctoral Training Programme

To introduce PhD students to the full extent of technical capabilities and resources in the Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, we have established a doctoral training programme for each new PhD cohort. By following this training element in the research degree, we hope for students to develop independence and a critical way of thinking, and become equipped with technical expertise beyond the specific tools and method used in their projects.

The first year of the training programme is focussed on building skills across a broad range of techniques in structural and chemical biology. Subsequent years of the training programme are focussed on transferable skills, building independence and preparation for post-degree careers.

Job opportunities

We are always looking to explore options of gaining fantastic new colleagues. Please get in touch with Tennie ([email protected]) or individual academics to discuss.

Why the Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology?

Profit from the informed teaching fuelled by the cutting-edge research at the Institute

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