Medical Research Council (MRC) Chemical biology & Structural Biology PhD Programme 2024

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit
University of Dundee, Scotland
Stipend £20,000 per annum tax-free

Obtaining fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction necessitate the application of cutting-edge methods in chemical biology, structural biology and proteomics. Chemical biology approaches provide a powerful way to investigate cell signalling by developing and applying custom-designed tools and probes that report activity of enzymes in cells, while structural biology approaches such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM reveal molecular details of signalling enzymes and how they are regulated. Researchers in the MRC PPU investigate how signalling pathways are disrupted in diseases such as inflammation and cancer. We are looking for talented students with backgrounds in biochemistry/chemistry to join this PhD programme which will provide training in chemical biology and structural biology. These positions will particularly suit individuals who like the challenge of designing and developing new tools and methods and have a keen interest in understanding the molecular basis of how our cells function.

Our aim is to train the research leaders of tomorrow, and we provide support and training at every stage of the PhD, in a world class research institute that benefits from core funding from the MRC. We offer the option of two 4-month rotations in the first year, or alternatively students can join one lab directly for four years. Current projects can be found by clicking here. The stipend for our MRC studentships is £20,000 per annum tax-free, and our students can attend at least one international conference during the course of their PhD. You can see what some of our former PhD students are up to now by reading some of our “Alumni interviews”.

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is one of the leading European institutions for research in Life Sciences, and is currently ranked top by the UK government. The 2016 QS World University Rankings in Biological Sciences place Dundee 5th in the UK and 40th in the world as judged by ‘citations-per-paper’, one of the most widely recognized metrics of scientific excellence.

Please send a CV with contact details of three referees to and a cover letter explaining why you have chosen to apply to MRC PPU to mrcppu-phd-admin@dundee.ac.uk. Applications from overseas students are welcome. The closing date for applications is 31st March 2024.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.