www.nature.com/naturejobs

PhD Studentship in Kinetic Structural Biology : Colchester, United Kingdom

Generating kinetic movies of enzyme function using rapid-repeat structural biology

Supervisor
Dr Michael A. Hough

Funding
This 3-year project is available for applicants with self arranged funding.

Project Outline
X-ray crystallography as a means to determine protein structure is one of the most powerful techniques in biological science but remains a largely static technique and can only capture snapshots of enzyme mechanisms.

Recent advances in instrumentation have allowed the extremely rapid collection of diffraction data, enabling tens of structures to be determined as an enzyme moves through its reaction mechanism. We are also able to use crystal spectroscopies to assign structures to mechanistic steps.

The project: The aim of this project is to use X-ray driven processes in crystals to drive chemical reactions in order to generate ‘structural movies’ throughout an enzymatic reaction. This will involve experiments at cryogenic and room temperatures. The main focus will be on proteins containing copper and haem-iron centres and will offer the candidate an opportunity to conduct experiments at international synchrotron laboratory facilities including the Swiss Light Source, near Zurich, and at the Diamond Light Source, near Oxford, UK.

Fees
Different fee bands are applicable for UK/EU or International applicants

How to Apply

We welcome applications from students with a 2(i) degree and/or MSc in a relevant subject

Applications may be made via http://www.essex.ac.uk/pgapply/enter.aspx

Informal enquires may be addressed to mahough@essex.ac.uk
…

Don't forget to mention Naturejobs when applying.

Job details

Employer:University of Essex

Website:http://www.essex.ac.uk

Location:School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, South East England, United Kingdom

Expires:October 31, 2014

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Undergraduate - Bachelor's degree

Employment type:Temporary

Job hours:Full-time