PhD Studentship in Cell and Molecular Biosciences - Circadian regulation of gene expression and its application in synthetic biology

Start date and duration:
Latest project start date 25 September 2017 for 3.5 years.

Overview:
Many living organisms possess circadian clock – timing mechanism allowing them to adjust to day/night cycles. The simplest version of a clock is found in photosynthetic cyanobacteria – large group of industrially and ecologically important microorganisms.

We are going to investigate how circadian programme regulates gene expression in cyanobacteria. Our main goal will be to identify factors, which switch genes on/off at the level of transcription. Understanding of these fundamental principles is vital for implementation of circadian clock in synthetic biology. Ultimately, we aim to design elements of circadian control for synthetic biology applications in industrially relevant microorganisms.

This project is part of large consortium developing Portabolomics (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/research/project/5355), the innovative approach to synthetic biology, aiming at increasing an efficiency and flexibility of design of a new industrial applications.

The project will be based in Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cbcb/) of Newcastle University, which accommodates world-leading scientists in the field of biology of bacterial cell and possesses the state of the art equipment. The successful candidate will acquire training in a wide range of biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology techniques.

Sponsor:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Y Yuzenkova, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences. (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/camb/staff/profile/yuliayuzenkova.html#research)

Eligibility Criteria:
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related area. A further qualification such as an MSc or Mres is highly advantageous. Previous laboratory experience is essential.

The award is available to UK/EU and international applicants. Depending on how you meet the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/), you may be entitled to a full or a partial award. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5, or equivalent.

How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). To do this please ‘Create a new account’. Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
•insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Cell and Molecular Biosciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code CB127 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship and supervisor, quote the studentship reference code CB127 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.