Fully-funded White Rose BBSRC DTP Biology project: Proteolytic control of intracellular bacterial infections

Lead supervisor: Dr Dave Boucher (Department of Biology)

Co-supervisors: Dr Marjan Van Der Woude (Hull York Medical School) and Dr Chris MacDonald (Department of Biology)

The student will be registered with the Department of Biology

Your body is constantly targeted by pathogens such as Salmonella, a food-borne pathogen. During infections, immune cells activate a signaling platform called inflammasome to control infections. Our lab aims to understand how these inflammasome control responses to infections and to identify mechanisms by which bacteria evade it. This exciting Ph.D. project will aim to understand how novel inflammasome effectors impact immune responses to infection using a holistic approach and will help us to understand the mechanism behind antibacterial responses.

This project is an outstanding training opportunity for enthusiastic biochemist and immunologist to get a multidisciplinary training combining biochemistry, immunology, bacteriology and microscopy. You will be trained to use techniques such as genetic engineering of cells, microscopy, flow cytometry, protein expression, cellular immunology techniques and biochemical characterization of protein interactions. 

The selected candidate will get graduate skills training through lab meetings, seminars, conferences, and outreach activities supporting your development through a broad range of scientific and transferable skill in a highly supportive and collaborative environment. The project is suitable for applicants with strong interest in biochemistry, immunology, and microbiology ready to tackle a challenging but rewarding project.

The Department of Biology holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award. We are committed to supporting equality and diversity and strive to provide a positive working environment for all staff and students. 

The WR DTP and the University of York are committed to recruiting future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and we have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with any biological, chemical, and/or physical science backgrounds, or students with mathematical background who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions. 

Programme: PhD in Mechanistic Biology (4 years)

Start Date: 1st October 2023

Interviews: Friday 10 February 2023 or Monday 13 February 2023. Please keep these dates free.