EASTBIO Computational Biophysics of Synthetically Engineered Protein Nanopores at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com

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Prof Scott Cockroft, Prof U Zachariae No more applications being accepted Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Edinburgh United Kingdom

About the Project

Background:
The project will apply molecular modelling and simulations to the development of synthetically augmented transmembrane protein nanopores. The project brings together the expertise of the Zachariae group (molecular simulation of ion channels) and Cockroft group (synthetically functionalised protein nanopores). The aim of the project is to provide mechanistic insights into the design and operation of transmembrane molecular pumps and artificial enzymes constructed from chemically modified transmembrane proteins. This interdisciplinary project will provide training in the requisite computational modelling software/methods and its broader application to the design of membrane-spanning molecular machines. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with experimentalists constructing such systems and the atomistic interpretation of single-channel electrophysiological recordings.

Methodology & training:
This interdisciplinary project will focus on biomolecular simulations (molecular dynamics, QM/MM, etc.). The successful candidate will be enrolled in the EASTBIO doctoral training programme. Interested candidates are encouraged to send [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed] a copy of your CV as soon as is possible, and preferably no later than 18th December 2020. Please include a brief description of your previous research experience and current research interests.

Further information:
https://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/groups/ulrich_zachariae/index.html
http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/scockrof/research.php

Application Process:
To apply for an EASTBIO PhD studentship http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/, follow the instructions below:
Check FindaPhD https://www.findaphd.com/phds/program/bbsrc-eastbio-doctoral-training-partnership-call-for-applications-for-2021/?p1048 for our available projects and contact potential supervisors before you apply.

After you have discussed the projects of interest to you with the project supervisors, download and complete our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/eastbio-dtp-equality-diversity-inclusion-form-2021 and then fill in the EASTBIO Application Form and submit the application form plus your academic transcripts to Professors Scott Cockroft and Ulrich Zachariae ([Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed].

Send the EASTBIO Reference Form to your two academic/professional referees, and ask them to submit these directly to Professors Scott Cockroft and Ulrich Zachariae ([Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed]. (Link to the form can be found here: http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0)

If you are nominated by the supervisor(s) of the EASTBIO PhD project you wish to apply for, they will provide a Supervisor Support Statement.

All EASTBIO (online) interviews will be in the week 8-12 February 2021 with awards made the following week.

The School of Chemistry holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. The University is a member of the Race Equality Charter and is a Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion, actively promoting LGBT equality. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment. See our University Initiatives website for further information. University Initiatives website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity/help-advice/family-friendly

Funding Notes

This 4 year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk /how-apply-0 . This opportunity is open to UK and International students and provides funding to cover stipend and UK level tuition (Please state if your institution will provide funding to cover the difference in fees). Please refer to UKRI website (https://www.ukri.org/our-work/developing-people-and-skills/find-studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/ ) and Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions ( https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/UKRI-291020-guidance-to-training-grant-terms-and-conditions.pdf ) for full eligibility criteria.

References

Further reading:
1. M. M. Haugland, S. Borsley, D. F. Cairns-Gibson, A. Elmi, S. L. Cockroft*. Synthetically diversified protein nanopores: Resolving click reaction mechanisms, ACS Nano, 13, 4101-4110 (2019).
2. D.A. Köpfer, C. Song, T. Gruene, G.M. Sheldrick, U. Zachariae*, B.L. de Groot*. Ion permeation in K+ channels occurs by direct Coulomb knock-on. Science, 346, 352-355 (2014).
3. M. A. Watson, S. L. Cockroft*. Man-made molecular machines: membrane bound, Chem. Soc. Rev., 45, 6118-6129 (2016).

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University of Edinburgh

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EASTBIO Computational Biophysics of Synthetically Engineered Protein Nanopores

University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry