A Diamond–Oxford Partner PhD Studentship
The Scientific Premise
Bornaviruses constitute a group of under-characterised animal-borne ribonucleic acid viruses that utilise a range of mammalian hosts as reservoirs. In recent years, an increasing number of bornavirus spillover events have occurred, causing hospitalisations and fatalities. The growing biomedical impact of bornaviruses, combined with the absence of effective therapeutics, underscores the importance of characterising these understudied emerging pathogens. The bornavirus glycoprotein (BorV-G) is responsible for facilitating host cell entry and is a primary target for vaccine and antiviral development. However, the lack of detailed information about BorV-G structure, receptor usage, and antigenicity limits our understanding of the molecular determinants of bornaviral host tropism and the sites of vulnerability targeted by neutralising antibodies.
Training in State-of-the-Art Techniques
In this doctoral research project, the student will employ an integrative structural and functional approach to elucidate molecular-level details of BorV-G architecture and host interactions. The student will receive comprehensive training in state-of-the-art techniques in structural and molecular biology including mammalian protein production, in vitro assays, X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy, cryogenic electron tomography and subtomogram averaging. This work will reveal molecular-level insights into BorV-G-driven pathobiology.
Time Division
The student will spend approximately 50% of their time at the University of Oxford and 50% at Diamond Light Source Ltd, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Attributes of Suitable Applicants
(1) Proven enthusiasm for studying structural biology, biophysics, and virology. Laboratory research or working experience in a relevant field is desirable.
(2) A first or upper second-class undergraduate degree in the subject areas of biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biology, immunology, or virology. A master’s degree in a relevant field is desirable but not a prerequisite for consideration.
If your degree is not from the UK, visit the International Qualifications webpage for the minimum entry requirements.
(3) Strong oral and written communication skills in English. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.
(4) Ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment.
(5) Well organised and highly motivated.
(6) Experience handling proteins and performing cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and/or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is desirable.
This project is jointly funded for four years by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council UKRI-BBSRC and Diamond Light Source Ltd: UKRI-BBSRC eligibility criteria apply. Successful students will receive a stipend of no less than the standard UKRI stipend rate, currently set at £18,622 for the academic year 2023 to 2024 (the rates for subsequent academic years have not been published), plus a £2,000 per annum stipend top-up.
This project is supported through the Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) studentship and Diamond Light Source Ltd PhD Studentship programmes. The student recruited to this project will join a cohort of students enrolled in the DTP’s interdisciplinary training programme and will participate in the training and networking opportunities available through the DTP. For further details, please visit www.biodtp.ox.ac.uk. The DTP and its associated partner organisations aim to create a community that is innovative, inclusive and collaborative, in which everyone feels valued, respected, and supported, and we encourage applications from a diverse range of qualified applicants.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
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