One fully
funded PhD position (under
the MRC AIM DTP program) is available within the lab of Dr. Abhinav KV (https://www.akv-lab.com/) at the
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) and Leicester Institute of
Structural and Chemical Biology (LISCB), University of Leicester, UK to carry
out structural studies on membrane protein complexes involved in microbial
persistence in Staphylococcus
aureus.

 

Information on this project can
be found here:

https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/mrc-aim-dtp

 

About Us:

The AKV-lab (https://www.akv-lab.com/) is based at MCB
and LISCB within University of Leicester (UoL), UK campus. The campus offers
support for international students and a vibrant international network. For these interdisciplinary
projects, we offer a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and access
to world-class research facilities for biochemistry, microbiology, biophysics,
structural biology and cryo-EM. It welcomes candidates passionate about
structural biology, biochemistry, protein structure-function, host-pathogen interactions,
microbiology and infectious diseases. You will learn molecular
cloning, advanced membrane-protein purification techniques and in-vitro structural determination of membrane protein
complexes using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The projects utilize a
multipronged approach involving techniques in biophysics, cross-linking
mass-spectrometry, crystallography/cryo-EM, integrative structural biology,
microbiology and live-cell imaging to address the scientific questions. Access
to LISCB’s X-ray facility and the cutting-edge microscopy infrastructure
including state-of-the-art Titan Krios 300 keV microscope enhances this
opportunity. We collaborate closely with members of the Division of Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Sciences (GGB),
University of Leicester on this project.

 

Eligibility:

·       A Masters (M. Sc., M. S., M. Tech) or a Bachelors (B.Sc., B.
S., B. Tech) degree in:

        Biochemistry, Molecular biology, Microbiology,
Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or related disciplines

·       Acquired previous experience working in a wet lab and
excellent command of written and spoken English.

·       Experience in recombinant protein
expression/purification/structural biology (not required but preferable).

·       A strong motivation in pursuing biological questions and
determination to actively contribute in establishing new research directions;
strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

 

Position details:

This position is funded for 4
years with a start date of August 2026. This
position is open for both UK as well as international students.
Successful candidates may get a full tuition-fee waiver and an annual
stipend for sustenance from MRC and University of
Leicester, UK. The last date of application is 9^th January 2026.

 

How to apply: Applicants will need to apply via the UoL website and more details on the application
process can be found at: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/mrc-aim-dtp

 

You can also visit the MRC AIM
website (https://more.bham.ac.uk/mrc-aim/) for more details.

 

To know more, visit our
website: https://www.akv-lab.com/. We are based at
the Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, University of
Leicester, UK: https://le.ac.uk/research/institutes/structural-chemical-biology.

 

For informal enquiries, contact Dr. Abhinav KV,
MCB & LISCB, University of Leicester: akv10@leicester.ac.uk.

Please share this announcement within your institutions or forward it to anyone who might be interested.

 

Regards,

Abhinav.