Research opportunities

PhD opportunities

Funding

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 (hv33@le.ac.uk) 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).

The projects below are looking for doctoral candidates. If you apply, consider asking for support from the prospective supervisors and Tennie (hv33@le.ac.uk) to put in the best possible application. The closing date is Thursday January 16 2025.

• Redefining the molecular mechanism of DNA double-strand break repair in humans (Dr Amanda Chaplin)
• Epigenetics of early human development: From molecular mechanisms to regenerative medicine (Dr Yolanda Markaki)
• New approaches to investigate substrate binding and reaction mechanism of CO2-reducing enzymes (Dr Patricia Rodriguez Macia)
• Structure and dynamics of the intrinsically disordered regions of the RNA binding protein Sam68: implication for RNA binding and phosphorylation (Professor Cyril Dominguez)
• Structural and functional analysis of copper-transporting ATPases in MRSA: Targets for antimicrobial intervention (Dr Abhinav Koyamangalath Vadakkepat)
• Molecular glues as novel tools for tackling big challenges in human health (Dr Richard Doveston)
• Evaluating the impact of chemically reactive metabolites in premature ageing (Dr Richard Hopkinson)
• Mechanisms of cold-dependent neuroprotection (Professor Ian Eperon)
• Unravelling the mechanisms of heme delivery and its role in cancer biology (Dr Hanna Kwon)
• Activation of protein kinase G from Mycobacterium tuberculosis – uncovering molecular mechanisms by CryoEM (Dr Helen O'Hare)
• Uncovering the mechanisms of epigenetic regulators using cutting-edge molecular biology and advanced imaging methodologies (Professor Thomas Schalch)
• Understanding centriole assembly in diverse human cells using advanced imaging and genomics (Dr Robert Mahen)
• Obtaining insights into how a signalling hub protein Ras activates multiple effectors (Dr Kayoko Tanaka)
• Understanding HDAC1 recruitment into diverse multi-protein complexes (Professor Shaun Cowley)

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. 

• Defining how aldehydes regulate human metabolism (Dr Richard Hopkinson)
• Structure and inhibition of the BamAD complex, the Achilles’ heel of outer membrane biogenesis in Campylobacter (Dr Emma Hesketh)
• Targeted protein injections to combat tumour suppressor loss and restore the epigenetic landscape in mesothelioma (Professor Thomas Schalch and Dr Yolanda Markaki)
• Using CryoEM to trap and visualise PROTAC drugs in action against cancer targets – iCASE project (Dr James Hodgkinson, Dr Emma Hesketh and Professor John Schwabe)

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.

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 will fund 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.

Job opportunities

We are always looking to explore options of gaining fantastic new colleagues. Please get in touch with Tennie (hv33@le.ac.uk) 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

• Access to the world class facilities at the Institute as well as the facilities at the University such as the award-winning David Wilson Library
• Members within the Institute will also benefit from the expertise and support from the Departments of Chemistry, Molecular and Cell  Biology and Respiratory Sciences.